PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Isotopes top RedHawks 7-4, win fourth straight

Published on September 3, 2006 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


Chris George matched a season high with seven strikeouts Sunday night to pilot the Albuquerque Isotopes (70-71) to their fourth-straight win, a 7-4 triumph over the Oklahoma RedHawks (73-70) before 13,345 fans at Isotopes Park.

The ‘Topes spotted George two runs in the third inning and the left-hander never let the lead slip through his grasp. Albuquerque scored all seven of its runs between the third and fifth innings, while using three relievers after George to hold on for the club's fourth-straight victory and fifth in the last six days.

George (5-6) earned the victory, scattering three runs on seven hits over 5.2 innings. The left-hander walked four and punched out seven. Jim Brower allowed an unearned run in 1.1 innings of work, while Wes Wilkerson and Brad Clontz each tossed a scoreless frame to close things out. Clontz was credited with his 23rd save.

The loss fell on Oklahoma's Derek Lee (6-12), who surrendered seven runs on 10 hits through seven innings. Lee struck out a batter and issued three free passes.

After two quiet innings, the ‘Topes jumped out to the lead in the third. Nick Trzesniak drew a walk to open up the frame, but the next two batters were retired. Going with two outs, Edgar Gonzalez crushed a Lee offering well over the wall in left, scoring Trzesniak and putting the Isotopes ahead 2-0 early.

Oklahoma got its first run of the evening an inning later on a run-scoring groundout off the bat of Anthony Webster. The Isotopes didn't waste any time answering, though, plating three runs in the home half of the inning. Trzesniak opened the scoring with a two-run double and Mark Little legged out an infield single with two outs in the inning to chase home Trzesniak for a 5-1 lead.

Albuquerque struck again in the fifth. Tom Wilson smashed an RBI double to right-center and Paul Hoover picked up an RBI with a run-scoring single, pushing the lead to 7-1.

Oklahoma began to chip away immediately, scoring twice in the sixth and once in the seventh to pull to within three at 7-4. From there, though, the game belonged to the Isotopes bullpen. Wilkerson struck out two of the three hitters he faced in the eighth, and Clontz punched out a pair to close the game in the ninth.

The crowd of 13,345 marked the second-largest crowd of the 2006 season at Isotopes Park, trumped only by the 15,020 that attended the July 3 game against Memphis. Sunday's crowd was the sixth-largest in Isotopes franchise history.

The 2006 season comes to a close Monday afternoon. For the finale, Albuquerque gives the nod to left-hander Adam Bostick (1-1, 3.52), while the RedHawks will counter with righty R.A. Dickey (8-8, 4.91). First pitch is set for 1:35 p.m. MT at Isotopes Park.

Rockin' Ray and the Amazing Skyy Dogs will visit The Lab on Monday, a Labor Day afternoon of baseball marking the final game of the 2006 season. Additionally, there will be an on-field ceremony to present the 2006 Isotopes Player Awards. Tickets can be purchased at the Isotopes Park Box Office, www.albuquerquebaseball.com, Ticketmaster outlets, or at www.ticketmaster.com. For more information, please call (505) 924-2255.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from September 3, 2006


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