Isotopes Swept Away in OKC
August 20, 2013 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release
OKLAHOMA CITY -- Jose Martinez hit a two-out, two-strike double in the ninth inning to tie it, and George Springer's single scored the winning run as the Oklahoma City RedHawks rallied for a dramatic 6-5 win Tuesday night over the Albuquerque Isotopes, extending their franchise-record winning streak at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark to 17 games.
The RedHawks (75-56) completed a five-game sweep of Albuquerque and won the season series 11-5. OKC lowered its magic number to clinch the PCL's American Southern division to eight. The RedHawks haven't lost at home since July 12, and their 43-22 record at home is the best in the PCL.
Albuquerque (67-64) lost its eighth straight game and is now 4-15 in August. It was the fourth time this year the Topes lost when leading after eight innings.
Javy Guerra (0-4) had been a perfect 8-for-8 in save chances, but he walked leadoff hitter Carlos Perez to begin the ninth. Ruben Sosa sacrificed him to second, then Trevor Crowe struck out for the second out. On a 1-2 pitch, Martinez doubled down the left-field line to tie the game. Martinez finished the game 3-for-5 with three RBIs.
Then on a 2-1 pitch, Springer rocketed a single into the hole and into left field, where Matt Angle made a strong throw home. Martinez slid just around the tag of catcher John Baker for the game winner, touching off the celebration of the RedHawks.
Springer began the scoring with a line drive solo home run in the first inning -- his 36th of the season, third in the five-game series, and seventh in his last 12 games overall. Springer, who also has 39 stolen bases and 102 RBIs, is one of five finalists for the minor league Player of the Year award.
The Topes tied the game in the fourth on Angle's run-scoring single. They took a 3-1 lead in the fifth on Eliezer Alfonzo's two-run single.
OkC answered immediately in the fifth inning, when Topes starter Jonathan Sanchez opened the inning with a single and three straight walks to force home a run. Martined greeted reliever Anthony Ortega with a two-run single to left field for a 4-3 lead.
In the seventh, Albuquerque answered with three consecutive two-out hits off Patrick Urckfitz. Brian Barden's single to center tied the game at 4-4, and Angle delivered the go-ahead single for a 5-4 lead.
The Topes return home Wednesday to begin a five-game series with Nashville (Brewers affiliate) that will open a season-ending, nine-game homestand. Matt Magill starts for Albuquerque. Jimmy Nelson goes for Oklahoma City. All the action can be heard on 610 "The Sports Animal" with Josh Suchon on the call. Coverage begins at 6 pm Mountain Time and first pitch is at 6:35.
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Pacific Coast League Stories from August 20, 2013
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