Isotopes succumb to RedHawk rally
Published on May 2, 2007 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release
A night after completing the most improbable comeback win of the season, the Albuquerque Isotopes (13-13) spoiled a two-run lead and dropped a 4-3 decision to the Oklahoma RedHawks (13-13) Wednesday afternoon at AT&T Bricktown Ballpark. Todd Sears picked up three hits and an RBI for the 'Topes.
Albuquerque led 3-1 through six innings, only to see the advantage turn into a 3-3 tie in the seventh. With the game still knotted at three in the bottom of the ninth, Oklahoma catcher Miguel Ojeda hit a two-out, walk-off single to chase home Dave Matranga with the game-winner.
Isotopes starter Jeff Fulchino gave Albuquerque six innings, before exiting with two runners on in the seventh. Fulchino allowed five hits and was charged with three earned runs, three walks and three strikeouts. Ross Wolf came on to relieve Fulchino in the seventh. Despite allowing two runs to pass-both charged to Fulchino's line-Wolf settled in for two innings of hitless baseball. Rich Dorman (1-1) came on in the ninth and retired his first two hitters before Oklahoma rallied with two away, pinning the righty with the loss.
Oklahoma starter John Koronka scattered three runs on nine hits over seven innings of work. Koronka recorded six Ks and walked two. Steven Rowe (2-0) earned the victory, shutting down Albuquerque to no runs on two hits over the final two frames.
Albuquerque hopped on the scoreboard first, taking a 1-0 lead in the second inning. John Gall singled, moved to third on a Sears double and came home one batter later on a sacrifice fly to right off the bat of Scott Seabol. Oklahoma answered in the home half, tying the score at 1-1 on a solo home run by Kevin West.
The 'Topes would regain the lead an inning later, again manufacturing a run. This time it took back-to-back singles by Johnny Raburn and Robert Andino, a sacrifice bunt for Josh Labandeira and a sacrifice fly by Chad Hermansen to push across the second Albuquerque run of the afternoon.
The Isotopes struck again in the sixth, as Sears knocked in Valentino Pascucci with a one-out single to right, pushing the lead to 3-1.
Fulchino walked the first two hitters of the seventh inning before giving way to Wolf, who issued a free pass to the first hitter he faced, loading the bases with nobody out. A sacrifice fly and a run-scoring force out would follow, as the RedHawks knotted the game at 3-3 through seven.
In the ninth, Dorman retired the first two hitters of the inning before Matranga singled through the left side to begin the two-out rally. He'd advance to second on a passed ball, then scamper home with the game winner one batter later thanks to Ojeda's single to left-center.
The Isotopes and RedHawks finish up the four-game series on Thursday night. Right-hander Ricardo Rodriguez (1-2, 7.23) gets the nod for Albuquerque, and Oklahoma sends righty Mike Wood (2-0, 2.05). First pitch is set for 6:05 PM at AT&T Bricktown Ballpark.
The Isotopes return home on Tuesday, May 8 to take on Portland and Tacoma in another jam-packed homestand that includes Orbit's Birthday Bash, a visit by National Baseball Hall-of-Famer Johnny Bench and Isotopes Cookbook as well as a one-carat Diamond Dig on Mother's Day. 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.
Pacific Coast League Stories from May 2, 2007
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- Braun Blast Give Sounds A Doubleheader Split - Nashville Sounds
- RedHawks return favor in win - Oklahoma City Comets
- Beavers' Game Suspended Due To Rain In Fourth - Portland Beavers
- Isotopes succumb to RedHawk rally - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Royals Game Notes - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Oklahoma RedHawks Game Notes - Oklahoma City Comets
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