PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Rally Cut Short For Isotopes, 8-7

Published on July 27, 2008 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


The Albuquerque Isotopes (46-62) dropped a heartbreaker as the tying run was thrown out at the plate in the bottom of the ninth to end the game, an 8-7 defeat to the Fresno Grizzlies (53-55) Sunday night at Isotopes Park. Dallas McPherson had his second three-homer game of the season to lead the offensive charge for the 'Topes, becoming the first player in Isotopes history to belt three home runs in a game twice in a season.

Down by two runs in the ninth, the Isotopes mounted a two-out rally when Tommy Murphy singled to right-center, then took second on a defensive indifference and advanced to third on a wild pitch. With a runner on third, Tagg Bozied beat out a ground ball that was bobbled by third baseman Scott McClain, while Murphy scored bring the 'Topes within a run, 8-7. Stepping up to the plate as the winning run, and with three homers already under his belt, McPherson hit a shallow pop fly that dropped, sending Bozied racing around the bases trying to score from first. Shortstop Jake Wald wheeled and fired the ball towards home, cutting down Bozied protecting the 8-7 victory for the Grizzlies.

Fresno grabbed an early as in the second, Brian Horwitz slapped a one out single to right before safely reaching third on Justin Leone's single to right field. Following a walk by Travis Denker, Eliezer Alfonzo singled to left field that driving in Horwitz and Leone for the early two-run Grizzlies advantage, 2-0, and advanced to second while Denker dashed to third on a throwing error by McPherson. Pitcher Pat Misch then singled through the hole at second base, plating Denker and increasing the lead to 3-0. Another Isotopes miscue led to the final run of the frame when, after Misch took off for second, catcher Brett Hayes fired to second baseman Chase Lambin, who then captured Misch in a rundown by throwing to first baseman Alberto Concepcion as Alfonzo simultaneously broke from third for home. Concepcion's throw to the plate found Hayes, but the catcher's relay back to third to catch the retreating baserunner eluded McPherson, sending Alfonzo trotting home to give the Grizz a 4-0 edge.

After the Grizzlies added a run in third on a solo homer by Travis Ishikawa, Albuquerque began to chip at the mighty lead in the bottom of the third when Hayes slugged a leadoff solo homer for the Isotopes' first run, 5-1.

The Grizzlies added one more run in the fourth, before McPherson cracked his first homer in the fourth inning over the left field fence for Albuquerque's second run, 6-2.

The Isotopes continued to chip away at Fresno's lead when Albuquerque manufactured a run in the fifth when Hayes hit a double to right-center, then reliever Kenny Baugh laid down a sacrifice bunt Hayes to third. Murphy knocked in Hayes on a ground out that cut the lead in half, 6-3.

The Isotopes added another run in the sixth when McPherson launched his second blast of the game over the center field fence for Albuquerque's fourth run, 6-4.

Ishikawa hit his second homer on the night, a two-out solo blast over the left field wall in the seventh, that gave the Grizzlies a four-run lead, 7-4.

Albuquerque continued to show off its power over the next two innings as Hayes hit his second homer of the game, a solo shot to left as the Isotopes kept chipping away at the Grizzlies lead, 7-5.

In his third consecutive at bat, McPherson added to his Isotopes record when he hit his 38th of the season to right that brought the 'Topes within a run, 7-6.

Fresno added what would be an important insurance run in the ninth when pinch hitter Brett Harper crushed a home run to left field that extended the Grizzlies advantage to two, 8-6.

The Isotopes look to return to their winning ways in game two of their series against the Fresno Grizzlies as right hander Frankie De La Cruz (10-5, 4.59) will take the mound for the 'Topes against Grizzlies righty Matt Palmer (4-9, 4.03) a 7:05 PM first pitch Monday night at Isotopes Park.

Albuquerque's first homestand after the All-Star Break finishes up with an Isotopes License Plate Frame giveaway on Tuesday. 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

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Pacific Coast League Stories from July 27, 2008


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