'Topes Clinch Post-Season Berth with 8-4 Win over 'Birds
August 30, 2009 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release
Needing just one win to secure a post-season playoff spot, the Albuquerque Isotopes (75-61) clinched the PCL American Southern title with an 8-4 victory over the Memphis Redbirds (71-64) Sunday night at Isotopes Park, sending the 'Topes to their first postseason since 2003.
Albuquerque starter Giancarlo Alvarado piloted the push, yielding just one run in six strong innings and collecting two hits for three RBI. The right-hander recorded five strikeouts and was followed by a quartet of relievers who preserved the win, including clutch-closer Scott Strickland, who picked up his 31st save in 33 chances with two pitches in the bottom of the ninth.
The out was huge as Memphis cut into the sizable 'Topes lead of 8-1 with three runs in the final frame. Albuquerque committed two gaffes with two outs and two on in the inning to beckon the closer. After Hyang-Nam Choi fanned two consecutive batters with two aboard, a pop up to right from Jarrett Hoffpauir eluded the reaches of Jamie Hoffmann's glove to fall in for a two-run single. To prolong the celebration even further, Sergio Garcia fumbled a ball at short that put Redbirds on the corners. In usual fashion, Strickland refused to yield anything else, coaxing 'Topes killer Tyler Greene to pop up and send Albuquerque to postseason bliss.
The Isotopes used the first three frames to establish a commanding lead behind Alvarado's dominance. Mitch Jones walloped his league-leading 33rd home run to cash in Blake DeWitt, who reached a batter earlier on a fielder's choice for an instant 2-0 edge. In the second frame, Luis Maza sent a hot shot to short for a base knock before A.J. Ellis roped his second double of the season into the right-field corner for a 3-0 advantage. Alvarado sent a single to right to plate Ellis while Garcia reached one batter later on an error. Jones, who matched Alvarado's three RBI, cashed in Alvarado while a wild pitch would deliver Garcia to make it 6-0.
The Isotopes first four batters of the third reached with a walk to Hoffmann, a single from Maza and a walk to Ellis loading the bases with no outs for the second straight inning. Alvarado delivered again, dumping a two-run base hit to center to make it 8-0 against Redbirds starter Adam Ottavino, who surrendered a season-high with the eight runs.
After Alvarado retired 15 of the first 18 he faced through five innings, holding the Redbirds scoreless, Memphis managed a run in the sixth as Greene slashed a double to plate Jon Jay who led off the inning with a double down the right-field line. With no outs, Alvarado refused further damage and the 'Topes bullpen followed suit.
Cory Wade and Will Ohman each pitched a 1-2-3 frame before the wild ninth inning. Choi's two outs were recorded via a punch-out with the runs during his outing going unearned and Strickland fittingly secured the final out.
Albuquerque will begin a four game series tomorrow with the Round Rock Express, Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros behind right-hander Tim Corcoran (1-0, 6.32 ERA), who will face Express lefty Josh Muecke (7-9, 4.61 ERA) in a 6:35 PM MT start from Isotopes Park.
The Isotopes' franchise-record 13-game homestand continues with four games with the Round Rock Express, Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros. On Wednesday, the team will be giving away Isotopes water bottles to the first 3,000 fans courtesy of Zanios Foods. 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.
Pacific Coast League Stories from August 30, 2009
- 'Topes Clinch Post-Season Berth with 8-4 Win over 'Birds - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Nashville takes series from Round Rock - Round Rock Express
- Sounds Conclude Road Trip With 7-3 Win - Nashville Sounds
- Redman Lifts Tacoma To 6-3 Win Over Beavers - Portland Beavers
- Atkins, Cubs Blank RedHawks 2-0 - Iowa Cubs
- RedHawks Game Notes for August 30 - Oklahoma City Comets
- Nashville Wins 5-4 On Iribarren's Grand Slam - Nashville Sounds
- Hoffmann Homers Not Enough In 11-9 Isotopes Loss - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Aces cruise past 51s - Reno Aces
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