PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

RedHawks Outlast Isotopes

June 9, 2009 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


The Albuquerque Isotopes (28-32) were held to just six hits as the Oklahoma City RedHawks (27-31) handed them their third straight loss in a 4-2 decision Tuesday afternoon at Isotopes Park.

‘Topes starter Shawn Estes (3-4) worked a season-high seven innings, allowing four runs, three earned, only to be outdone by his counterpart Elizardo Ramirez (3-4), who stymied the ‘Topes over six innings, fanning a season-best seven.

The RedHawks staked Ramirez to a 2-0 lead with RBI doubles from Emerson Frostad and Joaquin Arias. With two runners aboard in the top of the second, Frostad delivered a double to right-center that potentially could have plated two, however, a perfect relay from Mitch Jones met Greg Golson at the plate, allowing just one RedHawk run. Just one inning later, Julio Borbon, who was issued Estes' only free pass of the contest, raced home from first on Arias' two-bagger.

The only true danger Albuquerque's offense bestowed on Ramirez was in the third inning when the right-hander surrendered his only run to the ‘Topes. After retiring the first seven ‘Topes he faced, Ramirez walked Valentino Pascucci with one out before Sergio Garcia singled to right to give the ‘Topes runners on first and second. After a Luis Maza flyout, Chin-Lung Hu dumped a single to right field, just deep enough to score Pascucci and trim the ‘Hawk advantage to 2-1.

Oklahoma City added single tallies in the fifth and seventh via run-scoring singles from Max Ramirez and Arias to bump the lead to 4-1, but the damage could have been worse as Estes stranded two runners each inning. The ‘Topes southpaw left in the seventh scattering 10 hits and recording six punch-outs.

After Ramirez's removal, a trio of RedHawk relievers combined for three innings of near-perfect work, allowing just one run, to preserve the win. A.J. Murray, Brian Gordon and Warner Madrigal sat down eight straight ‘Topes before Mitch Jones interrupted in the bottom of the ninth with a monstrous solo shot to left, marking his fourth consecutive game with a home run. Brown, the only ‘Tope to pick up more than one hit, followed with a two-out single to right, but Madrigal (4) quickly closed the door, forcing Jason Repko to line out en route to his fourth save of the season.

The Isotopes will take a well-deserved day off before taking to the road to face the Round Rock Express, Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros. The first game of the series starts on Thursday with right-hander Giancarlo Alvarado (3-5, 3.72) battling Express righty Yorman Bazardo (7-2, 2.45) in a 6:05 PM MT start from Dell Diamond.

The ‘Topes are back in town on Thursday, June 18 for an eight-game homestand that includes a baseball card giveaway, Myron Noodleman appearance, and a very special Father's Day celebration, complete with BBQ apron giveaway, pre-game father/child catch, and a jersey auction benefitting prostate cancer awareness. 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



Pacific Coast League Stories from June 9, 2009


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