PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Rainiers Rally Past Isotopes 6-4

Published on August 9, 2009 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


With a slim lead intact throughout the majority of the contest, the Albuquerque Isotopes (63-53) surrendered four runs in the last two innings for a 6-4 loss to the Tacoma Rainiers (57-59) in the series opener Sunday night at Isotopes Park.

For the first time in the past four games, Albuquerque was not forced to call on the bullpen early, as starter J.D. Durbin went seven-plus strong innings. Durbin held solid over the first seven frames, giving up just two runs, but Tacoma chased the right-hander in the top of the eighth as the first three batters reached base putting Albuquerque's 4-2 lead in jeopardy.

After Durbin balked in a run in the eighth to pull Tacoma to 4-3 and put two more on board with no outs, Brent Leach took over, allowing the two inherited runners to score as Durbin's effort went spoiled. Albuquerque went quietly over their final three innings, using doubles from DeWitt, who reached base in all four at-bats, and A.J. Ellis for their only hits off relievers Robert Manuel and Mike Koplove.

The 'Topes built the early advantage with single tallies in the first three innings and another solo run in the sixth. Blake DeWitt worked a one-out walk in the first before Mitch Jones delivered a triple to center to put the 'Topes up early 1-0. A Luis Maza double to open the second and two straight singles from Jason Repko and J.D. Closser, with Closser's plating Maza, handed Albuquerque yet another single tally.

Tacoma quickly knotted the contest in the third as Jerry Owens led off with a solo home run. The Rainiers then manufactured the tying run after Durbin plunked Matt Tuiasosopo who proceeded to swipe second before moving to third on a groundout from Mike Carp. On a night full of pitcher throwing errors (two) and balks (three total), wild pitches were just as prevalent, as Tuiasosopo scampered home on one from Durbin to make the score 2-2.

DeWitt and Jones teamed up again in the third to break the deadlock. DeWitt collected another free pass, moved to second on a balk and took third on a wild pitch. Jones, who was the only 'Tope with multiple hits, lifted a sacrifice fly to left to push across Dewitt for a 3-2 edge. Albuquerque added another via the sacrifice fly in the sixth when Dee Brown, who doubled down the left field line and moved to third on an errant pick-off from former Isotope Chris Seddon, cashed in on a fly out from Maza.

Albuquerque mounted one last rally in the ninth after Tacoma extended the advantage to 6-4 on an RBI single by Jerry Owens in the top of the final frame. Ellis hammered a two-out double and pinch-hitter Brett Harper sent a deep fly ball to left that teased a potential tie, but Bryan LaHair caught the final out at the wall to secure the Tacoma triumph.

Manuel (1-1) took the win with his two innings of scoreless relief while Koplove (1) collected his first save. Durbin (0-3) remains winless despite his effort which was narrowly bested by former Seddon who allowed four runs to Durbin's five.

Right-hander Giancarlo Alvarado (9-9, 3.53) will look to get Albuquerque back on track tomorrow when he takes on Tacoma right-hander Andrew Baldwin (6-7, 4.37) in a 7:05 PM MT start from Isotopes Park.

The Isotopes' big homestand against the Rainiers rolls on with two more games before culminating with an always-popular Business Person's Special on Wednesday. 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

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Pacific Coast League Stories from August 9, 2009


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