PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Isotopes Sweep Away Zephyrs 5-3

Published on May 11, 2009 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


The Albuquerque Isotopes (16-14) extended their season-high winning streak to six games with a four-game series sweep of the New Orleans Zephyrs (12-19) with a 5-3 win on a beautiful Monday afternoon in front of 11,006 fans, the biggest crowd of the season at Isotopes Park.

The series sweep was secured mostly by the arms of the relief staff. Brian Mazone, Dwayne Pollok and closer Scott Strickland allowed a combined one hit over the final five innings, preserving the precious two-run buffer.

The offense did its part as well. Jason Repko extended his hitting streak to a team-high 11 games with a lead-off triple in the first frame. Three batters later, Hector Luna continued his torrid pace by plating Repko with a base hit, giving the 'Topes a 1-0 edge.

Albuquerque would tack on two more in the second after A.J. Ellis walked, advanced to second on a sacrifice, and scored on a base hit by Repko to double the lead to 2-0. Luis Maza then blasted a triple off the wall in right, easily scoring Repko and making the score 3-0.

'Topes starter Eric Milton did his part during those first few frames as well, allowing just one single and striking out two. By the top of the third, he was relieved by Nick DeBarr, who allowed the Zephyrs to knot the score at 3-3. David Matranga took the second pitch of the third and deposited it into centerfield batter's eye area to put the Z's on the board 3-1. Pitcher Willie Collazo and Cameron Maybin then reached on a walk and single, respectively. It initially appeared that might DeBarr escape the jam, getting two outs in the inning, but Michael Ryan squirted a single through the infield to score both runs and tie the contest at three.

After a rough start, DeBarr (2-0) settled in nicely, retiring seven in a row over his next two innings to earn his second win of the season. The right-hander finished his outing allowing the three runs on three hits through three frames while walking two and striking out one.

In the fourth, Danny Ardoin roped the third Isotopes triple of the game of the center field wall, tying a team record last accomplished June 18, 2007, versus Round Rock. That set up an RBI situation for Repko, who singled to right field, scoring Adroin with what would be the game-winning run at 4-3 Isotopes.

The Isotopes added another in the fifth off Speigner when Dee Brown drove in Blake DeWitt with a double to right, giving Albuquerque a 5-3 edge.

After Mazone's two shutout frames and Pollok's one-two-three eighth, closer Strickland (3) finished off the Z's with a perfect ninth to secure his third save in as many games.

The head to the left coast tomorrow for the first of a four-game set with the defending PCL Champion Sacramento River Cats, Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland A's. Righty knuckleballer Charlie Haeger (3-2, 5.58 ERA) will face River Cats righty Vince Mazzaro (0-2, 4.34) in an 8:05 PM MT start.

The Isotopes will return home on May 21 and kick off the eight-game homestand against the Salt Lake Bees, Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim with a team poster giveaway. 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.albuquerquebaseball.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

Check out the Albuquerque Isotopes Statistics

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Pacific Coast League Stories from May 11, 2009


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