PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Isotopes Outgun Memphis 17-11

Published on June 11, 2012 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


Trent Oeltjen and Tim Federowicz both turned in four RBI performances as the Albuquerque Isotopes (36-28) claimed a 17-11 series-clinching victory over the Memphis Redbirds (22-41) on Sunday night at Isotopes Park. The 'Topes 17 runs are the most scored by Albuquerque on the season, and coupled with Memphis' 11, ties a season high for most runs combined (28) from both teams.

Trailing 11-8 in the sixth inning, the Isotopes began to mount a comeback as Scott Van Slyke drew a walk in front of a single from Jeff Baisley. One batter later, Tim Federowicz blasted a two-out three-run home run over the left field wall to knot the game 11-11.

After a rare scoreless inning and a half, Albuquerque erupted for six runs in the eighth to finally take control of the shootout. The 'Topes immediately put two runners on base with back-to-back walks to Josh Fields and Van Slyke, setting up Luis Cruz, who poked a single to right field, scoring Fields and giving the Isotopes a 12-11 advantage. Federowicz followed with a single of his own to left-center, plating Van Slyke and extending the lead 13-11. Redbirds reliever Jess Todd then intentionally walked Matt Angle to load the bases, but the hurler's strategy backfired as he yielded a walk to Joe Becker, bringing in Cruz and giving the 'Topes a 14-11 edge. The rally continued as Jerry Sands blooped a pinch-hit RBI single, and Oeltjen lifted a sac-fly to right to widen the gap 16-11. Josh Fields then capped off the six-run inning with an RBI single to right that plated Becker and made the score 17-11, 'Topes.

'Topes reliever Wil Ledezma took over in the ninth, and after allowing a lead-off single, struck out the side to preserve the 17-11 Isotopes victory.

The Isotopes held a three-run lead after three, thanks to first-inning RBI singles from Van Slyke and Cruz, as well as a solo shot to left by Oeltjen in the second.

Memphis then strung together a seven-run fourth, the most runs Isotopes pitching has allowed in a single inning this season, beginning with a pair of two-run singles from Cedric Hunter and Lou Montanez that put the Redbirds on top 4-3. Former 'Tope Eugenio Velez followed with a two-run single to left to push Memphis ahead 7-3.

Albuquerque, as part of five lead changes on the night, regained the upper hand by scoring a pair of runs in the fifth off a two-run pinch-hit double from Brian Cavazos-Galvez to make the score 8-7.

The Redbirds didn't wait long to recapture the lead, scoring four in the sixth, largely thanks to a two-run double from Velez. The infielder blistered his former team this series, going 9-for-18 with four doubles, two homers and seven RBI.

Albuquerque now prepares for a short, three-game set against the Round Rock Express, with the first game of the series set for tomorrow night at 6:05 PM. Isotopes red-hot righty John Ely (5-4, 3.22) will entertain Express left-hander Zach Jackson (2-6, 4.48) in the opening contest.

The 'Topes begin the second half of their seven-game homestand tomorrow with 50-Cent hot dogs, followed by a Baseball Card Giveaway on Wednesday. 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

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Pacific Coast League Stories from June 11, 2012


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