PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Isotopes Rally Back For 9-7 Victory

Published on August 15, 2007 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


The Albuquerque Isotopes (61-62) let an early 7-1 lead slip away, only to fire back with runs in the seventh and eighth innings to collect a pivotal 9-7 victory over the Round Rock Express (55-68) Wednesday night at Isotopes Park. 'Topes closer Roy Corcoran worked two scoreless frames, striking out the side in dominant fashion in the ninth to preserve the victory.

Albuquerque, locked in a tight pennant race with less than three weeks remaining in the regular season, scored seven times over the game's first three innings to take a seemingly comfortable 7-1 lead. The Express, though, would not go down without a fight. Round Rock tapped the 'Topes for three in the fourth to carve into the lead, then pushed across three more in the fifth, tying the score at 7-7.

After a quiet sixth, the 'Topes offense was brought back to life. Brett Carroll hit a one-out single and moved to third on a John Baker single, putting runners on the corners with two outs in the inning. Josh Labandeira then knocked a clutch ground-rule double to right, chasing home Carroll with the go-ahead, and eventual game-winning, run.

The 'Topes would add an insurance tally in the eighth on a Joe Borchard home run to center, but the extra run wouldn't be needed as Corcoran buckled down over the final two frames to keep the Express off the board and pick up his 12th save of the season.

One night after using six pitchers in a loss to Round Rock, the 'Topes used five on Wednesday to pick up the win. The fourth Albuquerque hurler, right-hander Harvey Garcia (4-1), was credited with the victory. Garcia tossed a hitless seventh inning, throwing just nine pitches. Starter Kenny Baugh worked four-plus innings, allowing six runs on eight hits. Baugh walked one and punched out seven.

For the Express, starter Chad Reineke worked three innings, allowing seven runs-five earned-on eight hits. Reineke walked one and struck out three. Chance Douglass (0-5) was tagged with the loss, allowing just a run on six hits over four innings of work.

After the Express pushed across a run in the first, Albuquerque answered in the home half with a run-scoring single for Borchard to tie the score. In the second, the Isotopes offense exploded for four runs, using RBIs for Robert Andino, Reggie Abercrombie and Borchard to go ahead for the first time. An inning later, it was more of the same. This time an Andrew Beattie two-run homer put the 'Topes ahead 7-1. The lead would quickly evaporate, but the Isotopes managed to hold off the Express down the stretch to take the game two victory.

Three Isotopes-Andino, Borchard and Baker-collected three hits apiece. Borchard, recently sent to Albuquerque from the Florida Marlins, drove in three runs and scored one as well. Abercrombie and Beattie each finished with two hits on a 16-hit night for the Isotopes.

The 'Topes and Express will hit the third leg of the four-game series on Thursday night at The Lab. Albuquerque turns to righty Wes Obermueller (1-1, 2.76), while Round Rock is set to counter with right-hander Chan Ho Park (6-11, 6.51). First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 PM.

Tickets can be purchased at Isotopes Park or any Ticketmaster outlet, www.ticketmaster.com, or Ticketmaster by phone 505-883-7800. For more information, visit www.albuquerquebaseball.com or call 505-924-2255.

Check out the Albuquerque Isotopes Statistics

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Pacific Coast League Stories from August 15, 2007


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