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PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Memphis out-slugs 'Topes

August 28, 2009 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


The Albuquerque Isotopes (73-60) surrendered a season-high five home runs as the Memphis Redbirds (70-62) crushed their way to an 11-7 victory Thursday night at Isotopes Park. The ‘Birds used long balls to drive in all but one of their runs to break a five-game losing streak at The Lab.

Thanks to an Oklahoma City doubleheader sweep at the hands of the Iowa Cubs, Albuquerque inched closer to clinching a playoff berth. The ‘Topes' magic number for clinching a PCL post-season spot now stands at just five.

Interestingly enough, Memphis' power was matched throughout the contest as Albuquerque belted three homers and collected 13 hits to Memphis' 14.

Memphis started the dinger display in the top of the first with a solo shot from Craig Allen for an instant 1-0 edge, but the ‘Topes answered immediately, batting around in the bottom of the first and using two long balls to produce five runs.

After back-to-back singles from Blake DeWitt and Hector Luna, Mitch Jones deposited his league-leading 30th blast over the left-field wall. Jamie Hoffmann sent a single to center two batters later before Jason Repko cashed him in with a home run that stayed just inside the left-field foul pole to put Albuquerque ahead 5-1.

After Memphis pulled closer at 5-2 with a sacrifice fly from Shane Robinson in the second, the Redbirds unloaded two, two-run shots in the third to erase the ‘Topes' advantage. Tyler Greene walloped the first with Jon Jay aboard via a single while Major League rehabber Troy Glaus copied the feat two batters later, sending a first-pitch shot deep to left after Allen reached on a base knock to quickly give the edge back to Memphis at 6-5 with no outs.

‘Topes starter Dwayne Pollok recovered, recording two strikeouts and a pop-up to end the inning. Despite being victimized by three long balls, the spot-starting right-hander fanned six over three innings. He was let off the hook as Albuquerque knotted it up six-all in the bottom of the frame. Repko lashed a two-out triple before A.J. Ellis, who was on base four times in the game, created the deadlock with an RBI single.

While the ‘Topes seemed close to avenging the lost lead, Memphis had other thoughts, unsurprisingly involving a home run. Greene collected his second two-run blast in as many innings with a two-out shot off Henry Bonilla (3-10) that made it 8-6 Memphis.

Despite the rocky first, Memphis' southpaw starter Evan MacLane (6-11) held the ‘Topes to just the one more run in the third and combined with two Redbird relievers to keep the ‘Topes off the board. MacLane's victory makes August his first month all season with two victories.

Memphis also was held scoreless after Greene's second shot in the fourth, largely in part to Hyang-Name Choi and Will Ohman, but both teams tapped into the night's theme in the ninth for more scoring.

Albuquerque managed to out-hit Memphis until consecutive singles to start the ninth set up a three-run David Freese roundtripper off Cory Wade, increasing the ‘Birds lead to 11-6.

A Luis Maza solo shot in the bottom of the ninth came as the only hit off three Redbirds relievers over the final 3.2 innings bringing the total long ball count on the night to eight before Albuquerque finally succumbed 11-7.

Albuquerque will take the Redbirds for the third time in a five-game set tomorrow with lefty Scott Elbert (1-1, 4.40) taking the hill for the Isotopes against Memphis righty Oneli Perez (3-2, 2.84) in a 7:05 PM MT start from Isotopes Park.

The Isotopes' franchise-record 13-game homestand rolls on with a Pink Jersey Auction tomorrow featuring uniforms worn by the ‘Topes themselves. Also on the auction block will be an autographed jersey from Dodgers slugger Manny Ramirez, worn when he played in Albuquerque in June. Tickets for any Isotopes game may be purchased at the Isotopes Park Box Office, at Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 1-800-745-3000, or on-line at www.albuquerquebaseball.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

Check out the Albuquerque Isotopes Statistics



Pacific Coast League Stories from August 28, 2009


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