PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Mac's Walkoff Seals Sweep, 16-13; 7-6

July 24, 2008 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


Albuquerque Professional Baseball Hall of Fame ceremonies and Albuquerque Dukes retro night ended in fireworks with a walk-off homer in extra innings, as the Albuquerque Isotopes (45-59 took a pair of games, 16-13 and 7-6, over the Sacramento River Cats (60-44) Wednesday night at Isotopes Park. Celebrating his 28th birthday in style, Dallas McPherson, knocked the walk-off homer, his second on the day, in the bottom of the eighth in game two to seal the victory in addition to collecting five hits and driving in four RBI between the two games.

The afternoon began where it left off before a deluge suspended the contest last night, with the Isotopes trailing the River Cats in the second inning 3-1 and Tagg Bozied at third. George Lombard started the day with a single up the middle that plated Bozied and narrowed the River Cats lead to one, 3-2.

Sacramento added four more in the top of the third, 7-2, but the ‘Topes continued to chip their back into the ballgame. Manny Mayorson drew a one out walk before John Gall drew another walk that set up McPherson, who smashed a three-run homer over the right field fence that brought the ‘Topes back within striking distance, 7-5.

The Cats added four more in the third to take 10-5 lead until Chase Lambin hit an infield single, only to race around the bases when Lombard cracked a triple to left-center that made the score 10-6. Brett Hayes followed with a double down the left field line that scored Lombard for the second run of the inning before Tommy Murphy laid down a bunt down the third base line for an infield single, sending Hayes safely to third. With runners on the corners, Mayorson knocked a three-run home run over the left-center field fence to tie the game up at ten.

Over the next four innings the Isotopes and River Cats seesawed their way to a 13-13 tie, before McPherson and Bozied reached on consecutive singles in the bottom of the eighth and advanced 90-feet each on a sacrifice bunt by Jason Wood. Following an intentional walk to Lambin that loaded the bases and a fielder's choice by Lombard that eliminated McPherson at home, Hayes cracked a single to right-center that plated Bozied and Lambin to give Albuquerque a 15-13 lead. Murphy added to the scoring when he drove in Lombard for the three-run edge, en route to a 16-13 win.

The Isotopes found themselves in a similar situation in the second game, trailing Sacramento 2-0 in the third inning. Lambin singled to left-center only to reach second after Alberto Concepcion drew a walk. With two men on, Murphy cracked a one-out double to right-center that scored Lambin and cut the lead in half, 2-1. Mayorson then knocked a sacrifice fly to deep left field that allowed Concepcion to tie the game up at two. Murphy followed by using his exceptional speed to create a run, stealing third and sprinting home after River Cats catcher Landon Powell's throw went into left field, giving the ‘Topes the 3-2 lead.

Sacramento responded in the top of the fourth by scoring four runs on three hits, two wild pitches and an Isotopes error to reclaim the lead, 6-3., but Lombard brought the Isotopes within 6-4 in the bottom half of the fourth when he crushed a solo homer over the left-center field fence.

Albuquerque added another run in the fifth when Murphy drew a walk, stole second and third, and sprinted home after Gall knocked a single up the middle, 6-5.

In the seventh, Kevin Randel singled to left, and then Murphy dropped a sacrifice bunt that allowed Randel to safely reach second. Mayorson followed with a single to right that was deep enough for Randel to slide safely to home for the tying run, 6-6, giving the Isotopes the chance in extra innings for the victory that was delivered by a lead-off solo blast by McPherson in the eighth for the walk-off win.

Albuquerque continues their four-game series with game three against the Sacramento River Cats Wednesday night as ‘Topes southpaw Chris Seddon (7-7, 4.22) will square off against Sacramento righty Kirk Saarloos (8-3, 4.50) at Isotopes Park, first pitch is set for 7:05 PM.

Albuquerque's first homestand after the All-Star Break rolls on with an exciting post-game fireworks show on Friday followed by a Zooperstars! appearance on Saturday. 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.

Check out the Albuquerque Isotopes Statistics



Pacific Coast League Stories from July 24, 2008


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