PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Isotopes Power Past RedHawks

Published on May 6, 2009 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


The Albuquerque Isotopes (11-14) pounded out 14 hits, seven of which went for extra bases in a 9-3 triumph over the Oklahoma City RedHawks (10-14) Wednesday afternoon at AT&T Bricktown Ballpark. The victory snaps a season-high four game skid for the Isotopes and a seven-game losing streak in Oklahoma that dates back to last year.

Albuquerque spotted Oklahoma City an early 2-0 lead after the ‘Hawks scored twice in the bottom of the third on a two-run single by Esteban German, but the ‘Topes immediately roared back with five in the top of the fourth. Blake DeWitt got things started with a one-out double before the next batter, Hector Luna, was hit by a pitch. With two on, Valentino Pascucci roped a double to left, easily scoring DeWitt to trim the Oklahoma City lead to 2-1. One batter later, Albuquerque would grab the lead for good as Mitch Jones hammered a three-run blast to left, his team-leading eighth of the season, to give the ‘Topes a 4-2 edge. Jason Repko then immediately added his seventh homer of the year, giving the Isotopes back-to-back homers for the first time this year as well as a 5-2 advantage.

Luna would get into the launch party in the sixth, belting a lead-off solo homer to increase Albuquerque's lead to 6-2.

The RedHawks would mount a threat in the bottom of the sixth when Ermerson Frostad roped a single to right with runners on first and second, plating Royce Huffman and trimming the lead to 6-3. After a walk to Jose Vallejo loaded the bases, starter Charlie Haeger was lifted for Dwayne Pollok, who coaxed a come-backer to the mound from Julio Borbon to end the threat. Haeger (3-2) turned in a solid outing for the Isotopes en route to his third victory of the season and second win in a row, allowing three runs on six hits in 5.2 innings while walking five and striking out three. Okie City starter Michael Ballard (1-2) took the loss.

Albuquerque got the run right back in the top of the seventh when A.J. Ellis drew a lead-off walk, advanced to second on a sacrifice, and raced home on a single by Chin-Lung Hu to bolster the lead to 7-3 Isotopes.

The ‘Topes would add a pair of insurance runs in the eighth when Jones laced a one-out double, advanced to third on a single by Repko, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Ellis to make the score 8-3 Albuquerque. Sergio Garcia then capped the scoring with a double that plated Repko and sent the ‘Topes to a 9-3 triumph.

DeWitt finished the afternoon with a team-high four hits while Pascucci added a three-hit afternoon and Jones drove in three.

The ‘Topes will wrap up their rain-shortened set with Oklahoma City tomorrow with lefty Eric Milton (2-2, 5.76) taking the mound for the Isotopes against RedHawks righty Tommy Hunter (0-0 No ERA) in a 6:05 PM start from AT&T Bricktown Ballpark.

Albuquerque returns home this Friday for a four-game homestand against the New Orleans Zephyrs, Triple-A affiliate of the Florida Marlins. On tap for the big weekend of fun is a T-Shirt giveaway on Friday, a Zooperstars! appearance on Saturday, and a special Mother's Day / Orbit Birthday celebration on Sunday. Orbit's birthday will also include a special toy drive, where fans are encouraged to bring a new, unopened toy for Orbit that he will collect and take to the kids at Carrie Tingley Children's Hospital. 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 www.albuquerquebaseball.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

Check out the Albuquerque Isotopes Statistics

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Pacific Coast League Stories from May 6, 2009


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