PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

'Topes Outlast 'Hawks, 7-6

Published on May 2, 2012 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


Luis Cruz went 4-for-5 and was a triple short of hitting for the cycle and the Albuquerque Isotopes (15-11) held on for a 7-6 victory over the Oklahoma City RedHawks (16-10) on Tuesday night at Isotopes Park. The win is the fourth consecutive for the 'Topes and moves the team to within half a game of second place in the PCL American Southern Division, and one game in back of the first place 'Hawks.

With the 'Topes up 1-0 in the second, Cruz collected his first hit of the night with a single through the hole at shortstop that started the 'Topes' only multi-run inning of the game. Tim Federowicz followed suit one out later by blasting a double to center field, scoring Cruz all the way from first. With Federowicz waiting on third, Matt Angle poked an RBI single to right field that scored the catcher and extended Albuquerque's lead, 3-0.

The third inning began with Josh Fields hitting a one-out single up the middle and advancing to second on a deep fly-out from Jeff Baisley. Cruz again found a hole in the 'Hawks' defense when he laced a double to left-center that plated Fields from second and gave the Isotopes their largest lead of the night, 4-0 after three.

Oklahoma City found the scoreboard for the first time in the fourth inning off a solo-shot from Justin Ruggiano. The 'Topes had an immediate answer in the bottom of the fourth when Michael Antonini reached base on a fielder's choice and scored on a two-out double from Elian Herrera, giving the 'Topes a 5-1 edge.

The teams battled back and forth through the fifth and sixth innings beginning with a three-run blast from 'Hawks' outfielder Fernando Martinez. Albuquerque responded with a home run of its own when Cruz lifted a one-run dinger over the left field fence that made the score 6-4 Isotopes after five frames.

The RedHawks were able to regain lost ground in the top of the sixth starting when Dodger's MLB rehabbing relief pitcher Ronald Belisario took the mound and struggled to find his command. During his allotted pitch count, the righty gave up two unearned runs on one hit and two walks in 0.2 of an inning. After Oklahoma City climbed with one run, 6-5, Brent Leach replaced Belisari and gave up an RBI single to Angel Sanchez that knotted the game, 6-6.

With a four-game winning streak at stake, Angle led off the top of the sixth with a double to right-center and advanced to third on a fielding error by the 'Hawks' third baseman, Scott Moore. Facing one out and a man on third, Fields lifted a sacrifice fly to deep right, plating Angle and giving the 'Topes a 7-6 lead after six frames.

Albuquerque refused to let Oklahoma City back into the game as 'Topes relievers Scott Rice and Josh Wall each tossed a scoreless inning, with Wall striking out the side to close the door and send the Isotopes to a 7-6 win.

Albuquerque and Oklahoma City will square off again Wednesday at 6:35 PM. 'Topes right-hander Mike Parisi (1-1, 2.79) gets the ball against 'Hawks righty Anuery Rodriduez (1-3, 6.14) in game three of the four-game series.

The Isotopes' eight-game homestand continues tomorrow against OKC at 6:35 PM, and later includes Little League Banner Parades and 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 May 2, 2012


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