PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Isotopes salvage series split with 9-4 win over Z's

Published on May 1, 2005 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


The Albuquerque Isotopes (13-10) scored five runs in the fifth inning, two of which came courtesy of a Matt Padgett home run, to overcome the New Orleans Zephyrs (10-13) and salvage a split in the finale of their four game series in the Crescent City Sunday afternoon.

The ‘Topes spotted the Zephyrs two runs in the very first frame on an RBI double by Jeffrey Hammonds and a run-scoring single by Matt Cepicky to take the early 2-0 advantage. In the next inning, New Orleans struck again when Tyrell Godwin singled home John Wilson to give the Zephyrs a 3-0 cushion.

Albuquerque was quieted by New Orleans starter Claudio Vargas, who was making his fourth rehabilitation start for the Z's until the fifth, when Josh Wilson struck out but reached when Vargas's pitch escaped Zephyrs catcher John Wilson. Vargas then walked his counterpart Jeff Fulchino and Derek Wathan to load the bases for Mike Colangelo, who put Albuquerque on the board with a sacrifice fly scoring Wilson. Just like that, the floodgates were open as the next hitter, Joe Dillon, delivered a two-run single plating Fulchino and Wathan to tie the contest at three. Padgett then punctuated the frame with a two-run blast, his fifth, to give the Isotopes a 5-3 lead.

The Zephyrs would not go quietly into the New Orleans afternoon, however, as Cepicky came through again with an RBI single in the bottom of the fifth to score Brendan Harris and cut the ‘Topes lead to single run. Fulchino then walked Rick Short intentionally before giving way to left-handed reliever Matt Blank with the bases loaded and just one out. Blank, though, wriggled out of trouble masterfully, striking out Jason Bowers looking and coaxing John Wilson into a fly-out to preserve the one-run Albuquerque advantage.

The Isotopes then added some insurance runs in the seventh when Josh Willingham hit a three-run homer and another in the ninth for the final margin. Blank (2-0) won his second game in two days out of the bullpen while Vargas (1-2) was dealt the defeat.

The ‘Topes will head to Oklahoma next to try and exact revenge on the RedHawks, who took three of four in Albuquerque a week ago. The Isotopes will send right-hander Ariel Prieto (1-0) to the mound to face righty Ricardo Rodriguez (2-2) of the "Hawks. Albuquerque will return to Isotopes Park, site of the 2007 Triple-A All-Star Game, for its longest homestand of the 2005 campaign on May 6 when it welcomes in the Zephyrs. Tickets for all ‘Topes games are available at the Isotopes Park Box Office, at local Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.com, and Ticketmaster by phone at 883-7800.

Check out the Albuquerque Isotopes Statistics

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Pacific Coast League Stories from May 1, 2005


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