PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Isotopes hampered by 'Hawks

Published on August 29, 2012 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. -- Starter John Ely and the Albuquerque Isotopes (77-61) were perfect through 6.0 innings until the Oklahoma City RedHawks (73-64) surged ahead with five in the seventh and fended off a late ‘Topes charge to take a 6-5 win Tuesday night Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. Even with the loss, the Isotopes' Magic Number to win the Pacific Coast League's American Southern Division is just three on the suddenly surging ‘Hawks, up 3.5 with six to play, and two on the New Orleans Zephyrs, who were swept in a doubleheader at Round Rock, falling 4.0 games back in the division.

Albuquerque jumped out to a quick lead in the second when Jerry Sands drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second on a single to center by Josh Fields. Josh Bard then ripped a base hit up the middle, scoring Sands and giving the Isotopes a quick 1-0 edge.

The visitors would add to the lead in the fourth in a rally ignited by another base hit by the steady Bard. After Ely drew a walk, Tony Gwynn Jr. legged out an infield hit to second, loading the bases for Elian Herrera, who hammered a double to left, his second two-bagger of the game, that scored Bard and Ely to make the score 3-0 Isotopes.

Meanwhile, Ely was cruising through the RedHawks lineup. The right-hander retired 18 batters in a row, three by strikeout, before J.B. Shuck broke up the perfecto with a base hit to lead off the bottom of the seventh. Jordan Schafer then hit a roller towards first base that was picked up by Sands, who threw wildly trying to get Shuck at second, allowing both runners to be safe on the error. The gaffe would prove costly, as Matt Downs crushed a three-run homer to left that instantly knotted the game at 3-3. Still, the ‘Hawks weren't finished, as Mike Hessman coaxed a walk and Matt Dominguez hammered a two-run shot to left, giving Oklahoma City a sudden and improbable 5-3 lead.

True to their nature, the ‘Topes battled back in the eighth. Fields led off the frame with a double and advanced to third on a fielding error by RedHawks first baseman Hessman on a ball hit by Bard to put runners on the corners with nobody out. Ozzie Martinez then roped an infield base hit in the direction of third that plated Martinez and brought Albuquerque within 5-4. Pinch-hitter Trent Oeltjen then drew a walk, loading the bases for Gwynn, who knocked in Bard with an RBI fielder's choice to knot the game at 5-5.

Oklahoma City would have the last laugh, however, scoring a run in the bottom of the eighth on a sacrifice fly by J.D. Martinez to surge ahead one final time at 6-5. ‘Hawks closer Jose Valdez ensured the one-run lead held, retiring the ‘Topes in order in the ninth, two via strikeout, to earn his 20th save of the season. Albuquerque will face the RedHawks again on Wednesday with lefty Derrick Loop (11-3, 4.95) going for his 12th win of the season for the Isotopes against ‘Hawks righty Edgar Gonzalez (3-3, 4.96) in a 6:05 PM MT start from Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

After just two more games in Oklahoma City, the first-place Isotopes are back home this Friday for the last four game series of the 2012 regular season. In addition to a pivotal series against the Omaha Storm Chasers, the series includes Fan Appreciation Weekend, featuring three straight fireworks extravaganzas. As if that weren't enough, the ‘Topes will also be giving away grab bags full of awesome Isotopes giveaways on Saturday and Sunday! Tickets for any Isotopes game may be purchased at the Isotopes Park Box Office, at Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 1-800-745-3000, or on-line at www.abqisotopes.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

Check out the Albuquerque Isotopes Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Pacific Coast League Stories from August 29, 2012


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central