Isotopes Take Opener, 6-4, Over Sky Sox
Published on August 5, 2007 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release
John Gall rapped a two-run single in the seventh that broke a 4-4 deadlock and pushed the Albuquerque Isotopes (57-57) to a 6-4 victory over the Colorado Springs Sky Sox (58-57) in the series opener Sunday night at Isotopes Park.
Gall's clutch, one-out base hit up the middle was part of a three-run Isotopes seventh, a frame that turned a 4-3 deficit into a 6-4 lead. It was Albuquerque's first lead of the night, and it was an advantage the 'Topes would hold on to. Ross Wolf tossed a scoreless eighth, and closer Roy Corcoran authored a shutout ninth for his ninth save.
The 'Topes received a quality outing from its starter, Wes Obermueller. The right-hander did not figure into the decision, but did manage to keep his club in the ballgame. Obermueller worked 6.1 frames, allowing four runs on seven hits. He walked three and punched out four. In the seventh, Erasmo Ramirez (5-0) came on and retired the final two batters of the inning to pick up the victory and stay perfect on the season. From there, the game was handed over to Wolf and Corcoran, who preserved the series-opening victory for the Isotopes.
The loss fell on Sky Sox starter Bobby Keppel (7-8), who surrendered five runs on nine hits over six innings of work. Keppel walked a batter and struck out four.
The Sky Sox took an early lead, pushing across a run in the second and two more in the third, to go ahead 3-0.
In the fourth, Albuquerque fired back. Valentino Pascucci hit a lead-off double and came around to score two batters later on a single to center off the bat of Andrew Beattie. Beattie's fourth-inning single marked Minor League hit No. 1,000 of the 10-year veteran's career. Later in the inning, Josh Labandeira smacked a laser over the wall in left, a two-run home run that tied the score at 3-3.
The tie did not last long, though. An inning later, Colorado Springs regained its lead. Omar Quintanilla led off with a double and came around to score the go-ahead tally on a Seth Smith single to right.
After a quiet sixth, Albuquerque's offense took over in the seventh. Brett Carroll was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning and he'd come around to score on a wild pitch, tying the score 4-4. Three batters later, Gall hit his clutch single, driving in two to put the Isotopes ahead for good.
Pascucci collected three hits and drew a free pass for the 'Topes, while catcher Jason Phillips finished with two hits and a run scored in an 11-hit night for Albuquerque.
The series rolls on Monday night with a 7:05 PM first pitch at Isotopes Park. Right-hander Nic Ungs (3-4, 5.58) gets the nod for the 'Topes. He'll face-off with Sky Sox righty Mike Esposito (5-3, 5.32). Monday's game marks the return of the ever-popular 50-Cent Hot Dog Night at The Lab, presented by Enchantment Pet Resort and Spa.
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 August 5, 2007
- Isotopes Take Opener, 6-4, Over Sky Sox - Albuquerque Isotopes
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