Isotopes Take Series Opener, 5-4
May 25, 2007 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release
Robert Andino induced a bases loaded walk in the bottom of the eighth inning to unlock a 4-4 tie and push the Albuquerque Isotopes (25-23) to a 5-4 victory over the Nashville Sounds (25-23) in the series opener Friday night at Isotopes Park.
The 'Topes led by three runs midway through the ballgame, but the Sounds steadily chipped away, scoring once in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings to ultimately tie the score. Albuquerque used a bit of two-out magic in the eighth, though, to regain the lead and hang on for the win. Back-to-back singles by John Baker and Josh Labandeira were followed by consecutive walks to Todd Sears and Andino. The second walk came on four pitches by Dennis Sarfate and forced home the game-winner.
The Isotopes received a quality outing from starter Paul Mildren, though the left-hander did not figure in the decision. Mildren lasted 5.1 innings, allowing two runs on four hits with four strikeouts. Harvey Garcia worked two innings of two-run, three hit baseball out of the bullpen. Nate Field (4-2) earned the victory, tossing 0.2 perfect frames. Ross Wolf entered in the ninth and slammed the door, earning the save with a 1-2-3 ninth.
Sarfate (1-4) took the loss after walking home the game-winning run in the eighth. Sounds starter Tim Dillard worked 5.1 innings, surrendering four runs on eight hits.
Nashville struck early with a run in the first, but the 'Topes fired back in a big way. Albuquerque secured its first run of the game in the second inning, as John Gall tripled and came around to score on an RBI single for Brett Carroll.
The Isotopes then posted three runs in the fourth inning to jump out to a 4-1 advantage, thanks to back-to-back homers. Valentino Pascucci smacked a two-run blast to make the score 3-1, and Gall followed with a solo shot to deep left to put the 'Topes ahead by three.
Nashville rallied back bit-by-bit with three-straight one-run frames, but Albuquerque's two-out rally in the eighth meant the difference in the series opener.
Gall finished 3-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI, just a single shy of the cycle. The outfielder picked up the three toughest pieces of the cycle in his first three at-bats, but grounded out to third in his final plate appearance in the eighth inning.
Andino and Labandeira each picked up two hits on a 10-hit night for the 'Topes.
The 'Topes and Sounds will meet-up again on Saturday night at Isotopes Park. Nic Ungs (2-1, 5.82) gets the ball for Albuquerque, while Nashville counters with Chris Oxspring (2-3, 3.32). First pitch is set for 7:05 PM
Saturday kicks-off the club's annual Military Appreciation Weekend, highlighted by a pair of fireworks shows, a camouflage jersey auction and the first Albuquerque Journal Autograph Session of the season. 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.
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