PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

'Topes Edge RedHawks for Lucky Number Seven

Published on April 23, 2012 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


The Albuquerque Isotopes (11-8) got some stellar pitching and a clutch two-run homer by Elian Herrera to edge the Oklahoma City RedHawks (12-7) 3-2 in a crisply played contest Monday night at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. With the victory, the Isotopes have now won seven straight games, the longest winning streak by any team in the PCL this season and tied for the third longest in team history. The win also pulls the "˜Topes to within just a game and a half of the New Orleans Zephyrs in the PCL's American Southern Division.

Albuquerque grabbed a quick lead in the second when Jeff Baisley legged out a triple to right and immediately scored on a double by Tim Federowicz to give the "˜Topes a quick 1-0 edge, but the RedHawks responded in the bottom of the frame. Brett Wallace tied the contest with one swing of his bat, a towering solo homer to left, before Jimmy Paredes beat out an infield single by just eluding the tag of pitcher Will Savage. Landon Powell then roped a two-out double to right, scoring Paredes all the way from first and putting the "˜Hawks ahead 2-1.

Even though he was pressed into his first spot-start of the season, Savage was superb, working six strong innings in which he allowed just the two runs on five hits while walking one and striking out two. After the second-inning RedHawks rally, Savage allowed Oklahoma City just one hit the rest of his outing.

The "˜Hawks looked poised to add some insurance in the fifth in a rally that was quelled by some nifty Isotopes defense. Paredes started the inning with a double to right and quickly swiped third, putting a valuable insurance run 90 feet away with no outs. After Powell lifted a shallow pop-out to left, pitcher Dallas Keuchel dropped down a bunt in an attempt to execute a safety squeeze. Third baseman Baisley pounced on the ball, however, and hustled down the line to tag out Paredes has he streaked home to end the threat.

That set up Herrera, whose turn it was to play hero in the seventh. After Federowicz led off the inning with a single, Herrera crushed a two-out, two-run homer over the wall in left to suddenly give the "˜Topes a 3-2 edge.

Albuquerque's bullpen would make sure the one-run lead was safe as lefty Derrick Loop (2-0) who had just joined the Isotopes about an hour before first pitch, authored two scoreless innings to earn the win before Scott Rice (4) finished off the "˜Hawks with a scoreless ninth to secure the seventh straight victory. "˜Hawks starter Keuchel (3-1) who entered the game 3-0 and ranked among PCL leaders in six different pitching categories, was dealt his first loss of the season.

The "˜Topes will wrap up their four-game series in Oklahoma City on Tuesday behind right-hander John Ely (1-1, 6,19), who will take the mound against RedHawks righty Jordan Lyles (3-0, 2.89) in a 6:05 PM MT start from Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

After a series in Oklahoma City and another in New Orleans, the Isotopes are back home on Monday, April 30 for a loaded homestand that kicks off with the first of three 50-Cent Hot Dog Nights and includes back-to-back weekend fireworks. 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.abqisotopes.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

Check out the Albuquerque Isotopes Statistics

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Pacific Coast League Stories from April 23, 2012


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