PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

'Topes Buried By Rainiers, 12-4

Published on August 4, 2011 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


The Albuquerque Isotopes (58-55) served up a season-high five home runs, three to Alex Liddi alone, as the Tacoma Rainiers (56-57) cruised to a 12-4 win Thursday night at Isotopes Park.

Albuquerque jumped on the board first thanks to a solo home run from John Lindsey in the second but the game belonged to the two-man wrecking crew of Liddi and Wily Mo Pena shortly thereafter. With two outs in the top of the third, Matt Tuiasosopo drew a walk in front of Liddi, who hammered a two-run blast deep to center that gave the Rainiers a quick 2-1 lead. Liddi barely had time to grab a seat in the dugout before the next batter Pena crushed a solo shot to over the batter's eye in straightaway center to put Tacoma ahead 3-1. After a single by Carlos Peguero and a walk to Greg Halman, Mike Wilson roped a double to center, scoring both base runners and increasing the advantage to 5-1 Rainiers. Johan Limonta then capped the big inning with another RBI double, giving Tacoma a 6-1 cushion in a rally totally executed with two outs.

The ‘Topes answered quickly in the bottom of the third, however, when Brad Coon lined a single to left, putting a runner on for Jay Gibbons, who smashed a homer onto the berm in right, cutting the deficit to 6-3. Russ Mitchell then singled down the third base line and scampered into second when left fielder Peguero mishandled the ball for an error, moving into scoring position for Jamie Hoffmann, who slapped a single to left, scoring Mitchell and drawing Albuquerque back within two at 6-4.

That's as close as the home team would get, as Tacoma plated three in the fourth on a mammoth three-run blast from Pena before tacking on another tally in the sixth on a solo shot by Liddi to surge to 10-4 lead.

Liddi added the exclamation point on a huge night in the eighth with a two-run homer, sending the Rainiers to a 12-4 win. Liddi and Pena combined for seven hits, five homers, and nine RBI as Tacoma erupted for 20 hits on the night.

‘Topes starter Tim Sexton (3-6) suffered the loss, his sixth in a row, while Tacoma left-handed starter Anthony Vasquez (4-2) earned the victory.

The Isotopes will look to get back on the winning track Friday behind lefty Randy Keisler (6-5, 4.63), who will get the ball for the ‘Topes against Rainiers left-hander Luke French (8-7, 5.49). First pitch from The Lab is 7:05 PM.

Albuquerque's big homestand continues on Friday with an Orbit Bank giveaway to the first 3,000 fans courtesy of U.S. Bank before the team hosts another spectacular fireworks show on Saturday. 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 4, 2011


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