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PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Newest 'Tope Hammers 'Hawks in 8-6 Win

April 18, 2011 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


Infielder Corey Smith proved to be a more than adequate replacement for the Dodger-bound Jerry Sands, going 4-for-4 with three RBI in his first game as an Albuquerque Isotope (7-4), leading the ‚¬ËœTopes to an 8-6 win over the Oklahoma City RedHawks (4-7) Monday evening at Bricktown Ballpark. Smith joined the Isotopes from Double-A Chattanooga before the game, making the start at first base and batting in the clean-up position.

Albuquerque spotted the RedHawks a three-run lead, two in the first and one more in the third, before mounting a comeback in the fourth. With two down and nobody on, Trent Oeltjen ignited the rally with a bloop single to left before scampering to third on a double by Smith. Jamie Hoffmann then knotted the game with one swing of the bat, blasting a three-run homer, his first of the season, that curled around the foul pole in left to tie the contest at 3-3.

The Isotopes grabbed their first lead of the evening one inning later when Trayvon Robinson led off the fifth frame with a triple in front of a walk to J.D. Closser that gave the visiting team runners on the corners and nobody out. Pitcher Randy Keisler was then sent in to pinch-hit and delivered a double to left field, easily plating Robinson with the go-ahead run. After an intentional walk to Oeltjen loaded the bases, Smith struck again, roping a two-run single to center and giving the Isotopes a 6-3 lead.

That advantage would grow in the seventh thanks to a pair of RedHawks errors that ultimately proved costly. Dee Gordon reached on a fielding error by Tommy Manzella and promptly swiped second base before coasting into third on a fly-out to left. Oeltjen then sent a grounder in the direction of second baseman Anderson Hernandez that was misplayed for the second error of the frame, allowing Gordon to trot home and make the score 7-3. Oeltjen immediately stole second, moving into scoring position for Smith, who once again came through with a base hit, chasing home the speedy base-runner and increasing the Albuquerque lead to 8-3.

The extra runs ended up being crucial for the Isotopes, as Oklahoma City mounted a comeback of its own in the bottom of the seventh with two outs. Carlos Corporan started the uprising with a solo homer to right, trimming the Albuquerque lead to 8-4 before Hernandez atoned for his mistake earlier in the inning by crushing a two-run homer two batters later to climb within two runs at 8-6.

As it has throughout the young season, the ‚¬ËœTopes' relief corps was up to challenge with Merkin Valdez authoring a scoreless eighth before Roman Colon (2) shut down the ‚¬ËœHawks in the ninth to earn his second save of the year.

Reliever Jon Link (1-0) earned the win for Albuquerque after two scoreless, hitless frames while Oklahoma City starter Jordan Lyles (0-2) suffered the loss.

The Isotopes will now head to Des Moines for a four-game series with the Iowa Cubs beginning on Tuesday. Lefty Dana Eveland (2-0, 3.65) will look for his third straight win to start the 2011 season while battling Cubs right-hander Austin Bibens-Dirkx. First pitch is scheduled for 5:35 PM MT.

After their series in Des Moines, the Isotopes are back home on Saturday, April 23 for an Easter weekend full of great promotions including the first post-game fireworks show of the season on Saturday and a pre-game Easter Sunday candy hunt presented by PEEPS.

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.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from April 18, 2011


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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