RedHawks Fly by Topes

August 16, 2013 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Brandon Laird singled home the go-ahead run in the eighth inning to lift the Oklahoma City RedHawks to a 3-2 victory over the Albuquerque Isotopes on Friday night at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

OKC (71-56) extended its lead to four games over Albuquerque with 17 games left in the regular season. The five-game series continues Saturday through Tuesday. The Isotopes (67-60) are 4-11 in August and 11-18 since the All-Star Break.

The Topes scored the game's first run in the third inning on Alex Castellanos' RBI single. The RedHawks answered immediately on a towering George Springer home run to center. It was Springer's 15th for Round Rock and 34th overall this year.

In the sixth, the Isotopes regained the lead with a two-out rally that started with Castellanos walking and going to second on a wild pitch. OKC manager Tony DeFrancesco intentionally walked Chili Buss, and Eliezer Alfonzo made him pay with run-scoring single up the middle for a 2-1 lead.

Again, OKC answered immediately. Red Patterson had retired nine in a row, and 12 of 13 hitters, after getting the first two outs in the sixth. But then Laird walked, after an eight-pitch duel, and Jon Singleton doubled to the left-center gap to tie the score at 2-2.

Onelki Garcia pitched a scoreless seventh, but walked leadoff hitter Trevor Crowe to begin the eighth. Peter Moylan entered the game, and Jose Martinez laid down a sacrifice bunt. Springer walked, then Laird singled into left field to bring home Crowe with the game winning run.

Jorge De Leon pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning for his second save.

Game two of the five-game series is Saturday night. Angel Castro starts for Albuquerque. Paul Clemens goes for Oklahoma City. All the action can be heard on 610 "The Sports Animal" with Josh Suchon on the call. Coverage begins at 5:35 Mountain Time and first pitch at 6:05.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from August 16, 2013

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