'Topes Hold Back 'Birds 8-7
August 29, 2009 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release
The Albuquerque Isotopes' (74-60) pitching corps matched a season-best with 14 strikeouts, including three innings in which a 'Topes' pitcher struck out the side, holding on for an 8-7 victory over the Memphis Redbirds (70-64) Friday night at Isotopes Park.
The win, coupled with an Oklahoma City loss, dwindles the magic number for the Isotopes to clinch the PCL American Southern title down to just three.
The Isotopes also raised $6,210 for the Susan G. Komen Foundation with their annual pink jersey auction. A Manny Ramirez game-worn jersey from his time in Albuquerque went highest at $1,900 followed by Jason Repko's jersey at $650 and Chin-Lung Hu's at $300.
The 'Topes established a solid lead which was quickly put in peril over the final frames. Scott Strickland recorded three punch-outs in the bottom of the ninth after Allen Craig smashed a solo home run to bring Memphis within one at 8-7 with no outs and the meat of the Memphis order coming up. Saves maestro Strickland buckled down using 13 pitches to secure his PCL-leading 30th save on the season.
Albuquerque pushed across a crucial run in the bottom of the eighth after the Redbirds, who were held to just one run over the first six innings, plated five between the seventh and eighth to trim their deficit to 7-6. Blake DeWitt singled to right-center and moved to second after a pickoff attempt sailed over first to move the runner into scoring position. With two outs, Dee Brown dumped a single to center field to cash in DeWitt and up the score to 8-6.
Prior to the last innings, Albuquerque dominated the game offensively and starter Scott Elbert dominated the 'Birds on the mound in five innings of work.
Elbert (2-1) fanned six through his first three innings, including retiring the side in the second on strikeouts alone. The left-hander pitched five frames, recording a season-best eight strikeouts for his first win since his Triple-A debut on June 25. One run scored during Elbert's outing, but it was unearned as the Redbirds cashed in a baserunner who reached on a two-out error in the fourth.
The 1-0 edge would be the only lead for Memphis as Albuquerque racked up seven runs between the fourth and fifth. The Isotopes manufactured their first run when Brown led off the inning with a walk, swiped second and moved to third on a wild pitch. Jamie Hoffmann lifted a sacrifice fly to knot the game at 1-1.
Back-to-back doubles from Elbert and DeWitt started the fifth for Albuquerque with Elbert coming around to score on DeWitt's two-bagger. After Hector Luna reached on an error, Brown singled in DeWitt before Luna scored on a sacrifice fly out in foul territory from J.D. Closser. Hoffmann then added a blast to the inning, depositing a two-run shot to left before pinch-hitter Sergio Garcia capped the inning with an RBI single to give Albuquerque a 7-1 cushion.
The Redbirds caused trouble the next four innings, however, to threaten the lead. Josh Lindblom stranded two in the sixth, escaping by fanning the side. Jarret Hoffpauir and Craig reduced the 'Topes lead to 7-3 with RBI base hits before Tyler Greene smashed his third homer in two games with two out in the top of the ninth. The shot cashed in three and made it a diminutive 7-6 'Topes lead before Brown's clutch hit and Strickland's dominance closed out the win.
Albuquerque will battle the 'Birds tomorrow with lefty Eric Stults (5-3, 5.26) taking the ball for the Isotopes against Memphis lefty Jaime Garcia (1-0, 4.09) in a 7:05 PM MT start from The Lab.
The Isotopes' franchise-record 13-game homestand continues with Fan Appreciation Weekend, featuring Isotopes Grab Bags and fireworks on both Saturday and Sunday nights! 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.
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