PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Isotopes Mount Seventh-Inning Comeback to Top Chasers, 9-7

Published on April 15, 2012 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


The Albuquerque Isotopes (4-7) weren't going to let another lead slip away against the Omaha Storm Chasers (8-3), delivering a five-run outburst in the seventh inning to overcome a three-run deficit and hold on for a 9-7 victory at Isotopes Park on Sunday afternoon.

Trailing 7-4 heading into the bottom of the seventh inning, Albuquerque loaded the bases with nobody out for Tim Federowicz, who lifted a sacrifice fly to start the five-run rally. In the next at-bat, third baseman Josh Fields knocked his first triple of the season, driving in Jeff Baisley and Scott Van Slyke, and then crossed home plate himself on a single through the hole at second base from Josh Bard to give Albuquerque a sudden 8-7 edge. Bard, who was making just his fourth start of the season at catcher, took advantage of the opportunity, finishing 4-for-4 with a double, a run scored, and an RBI. The inning's run support ended the same way it began, with a sacrifice fly by this time Elian Herrera that lifted the Isotopes to a 9-7 advantage.

The remainder of the contest belonged to the bullpen, as Will Savage (2-0) authored a scoreless eighth to earn his second win of the season before handing the ball to Josh Wall (3), who finished off the Chasers in a one-two-three ninth to secure his third save. Omaha reliever Ethan Hollingsworth (1-1) suffered the loss.

After spotting Omaha a run in the top of the first, the Isotopes were held scoreless through the first four innings by Chasers' pitching prospect Will Smith before finally touching the left-hander for four runs in the fifth. With runners on the corners and one out, Jerry Sands laced a single to center, scoring Bard and knotting the game at 1-1. Baisley followed with an RBI single of his own to give the "˜Topes a lead before Van Slyke lifted a high pop-up that was lost in the sun by Omaha second baseman Johnny Giavotella and dropped harmlessly on the infield dirt, allowing two runs to race home and increase the lead to 4-1, "˜Topes.

Omaha then forced the 'Topes to play catch-up after a four-run sixth inning in which Anthony Seratelli blasted a grand-slam home run, Omaha's second bases-loaded homer against the 'Topes this season, that lifted the Chasers to a momentary 5-4 advantage. One inning later, the Chasers extended their lead with back-to-back solo shots from Craig Robinson and Max Ramirez, making the score 6-4 in the top of the seventh and setting up the Isotopes' comeback.

Albuquerque will look for its first series win of 2012 on Monday at 12:05 PM in the series finale against the Chasers. Isotopes left-hander Michael Antonini (0-0. 1.80) will face Omaha's righty, Vin Mazarro (0-0, 3.00). The game will be broadcast on 1050-AM KTBL.

The 'Topes opening homestand continues on Monday with a School Day Matinee beginning at 12:05 PM that includes a sack lunch for all registered students. On Tuesday, the Iowa Cubs will arrive in Albuquerque to begin the back end of the Isotopes' eight-game homestand. 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 .

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Pacific Coast League Stories from April 15, 2012


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