Miller Drives in Five In Albuquerque Victory
Published on August 12, 2008 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release
The red-hot Jai Miller continued his torrid hitting by belting a grand slam and driving in five runs while Robert Andino added a home run of his own in three hits as the Albuquerque Isotopes (54-68) crushed the Oklahoma RedHawks (65-58) 13-7 Monday night at Isotopes Park, completing a four-game series sweep. The sweep of the first-place âHawks is just the second for the Isotopes this season and the first at home.
For the second straight night the RedHawks jumped out first, scoring a run in the top of the first before Albuquerque answered in the bottom of the frame. With runners on second and third, Paul Lo Duca roped a single up the middle to give the Isotopes a 2-1 lead.
Both teams traded runs in the second and third, making the score 4-3 before the âTopes erupted for four runs in the fourth. Chase Lambin led off the inning with a double and immediately came around to score on a single by Brett Hayes to increase the lead to 5-3. After a one-out walk to Tommy Murphy and a double steal put runners on second and third, Tagg Bozied hit a cue shot off the end of the bat that was mishandled by Oklahoma first baseman Chris Shelton, allowing Hayes to scamper home. Jason Wood then roped an RBI single that scored Murphy before Miller capped the scoring with a two-out RBI single that plated Bozied and gave the home team an 8-3 edge.
On this night, as on most nights at hitter-friendly Isotopes Park, the lead wasn't safe as the âHawks stormed back with three in the fifth on a three-run blast by Nate Gold that trimmed the advantage to 8-6 âTopes. After Gold plated another run in the sixth on sacrifice fly that scored Joaquin Arias, the âHawks had come all the way back to within a perilous one run, 8-7.
Like they have all series long, however, Albuquerque responded with the long ball. Andino hammered a two-out solo shot in the bottom of the seventh to give the âTopes a valuable insurance tally and increase the lead to 9-7.
That was a mere prelude to the eighth, when Miller delivered the knock-out punch. Bozied led off the frame with a walk and matriculated to third on back-to-back singles by Wood and Lo Duca. With the bases loaded and nobody out, Miller unloaded a mammoth home run to left center on a 2-2 pitch that allowed Albuquerque to cruise to a 13-7 win. The slam was Miller's third home run in his last three games, a span in which he's also driven in 10 runs. Lo Duca also finished with a stellar night for the Isotopes, going 4-for-5 with three RBI.
Reliever Ross Wolf (4-1) earned the victory for Albuquerque after one run on five hits in an inning and two-thirds, while Carlos Martinez (H, 1) added a scoreless inning and a third for the hold and Brandon Villafuerte (S, 1) closed the door with a perfect two innings for his first save of the season.
The Isotopes will look to continue their winning ways Tuesday on the road with a short road-trip to Omaha to battle the Royals. Taking the mound for Albuquerque will be right-hander Rick VandenHurk (1-1, 5.91), who will face lefty Dusty Hughes (2-1, 4.95) in a 6:05 PM start Mountain Time from Rosenblatt Stadium.
After a quick four-game trip to Omaha, Nebraska the âTopes return to The Lab for the final homestand of the season. Over the final nine games the Isotopes will battle the Memphis Redbirds, Triple-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals, and the New Orleans Zephyrs, Triple-A Affiliate of the New York Mets. The fun starts on Saturday, August 16 with a special appearance by everyone's favorite fowl, Birdzerk! Tickets can be purchased at Isotopes Park or any Ticketmaster outlet, www.ticketmaster.com, or by calling Ticketmaster at 505-883-7800. For more information, visit www.albuquerquebaseball.com or call 505-924-2255.
Pacific Coast League Stories from August 12, 2008
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- Sounds Fall To RedHawks, 1-0 In 10 Innings - Nashville Sounds
- The Best Mascot In The Major Leagues Takes On The Best That Minor League Baseball Has To Offer - Fresno Grizzlies
- Boudreaux and Clotile to Renew Vows Saturday - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Forward receives weekly honor for second consecutive week - Portland Beavers
- Evans Returns to Salt Lake - Salt Lake Bees
- Oklahoma RedHawks Game Notes - Oklahoma City Comets
- Royals Game Notes - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Zephyrs finish off sweep of 'Birds - Memphis Redbirds
- Miller Drives in Five In Albuquerque Victory - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Koshansky grand slam keys big inning as Colorado Springs takes 4-of-5 from Portland - Portland Beavers
- Hot Bats Give Tucson Series Win Over Tacoma - Tucson Sidewinders
- Grand Seventh Inning Carries Sky Sox To 12-4 Win - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
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