PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

'Topes Overtake 'Birds with Seventh-Inning Rally

Published on July 17, 2012 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


The Albuquerque Isotopes (55-40) scored four runs in the seventh inning to overcome a three-run deficit and claim a 9-8 come-from-behind victory over the Memphis Redbirds (35-60) on Monday night at Isotopes Park. The red-hot 'Topes have now won eight of their last 10 games, and 12 of their previous 14 at The Lab.

Trailing 8-5 in the seventh, Albuquerque began its four-run comeback with a single from Josh Fields and a walk to Scott Van Slyke. Matt Angle followed with an RBI single to right-center that plated Fields and narrowed the deficit 8-6. Two batters later, with a runner on third and two outs, Elian Herrera announced his return to Albuquerque by extended his team-high 18-game hitting streak with an RBI single to center that brought in Van Slyke and made it 8-7. Herrera is now one knock shy of the franchise record, most recently accomplished by Jamie Hoffmann in 2010. Ozzie Martinez, who had entered the game in the sixth as a pinch hitter, then collected his second hit in as many at-bats with a two-run double to right that completed the rally and gave the 'Topes a 9-8 lead. In five home games against Memphis this season, Albuquerque has scored 46 runs, an average of 9.2 a game.

From there, the Isotopes bullpen took over as relievers Michael Antonini (2-6) and Scott Rice (6) authored a scoreless eighth and ninth, respectively, to close the door on Memphis and give Albuquerque a 9-8 win.

Memphis jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead after two innings when Mark Hamilton poked an RBI single in the first and scored on a groundout from Zack Cox. Hamilton finished the contest 4-for-5 with four singles and an RBI. Bryan Anderson led off the second with a single to right, advanced to third on a throwing error from Fields and scored on a misplayed ball by Alex Castellanos to give the Redbirds a 3-0 edge. On the night, the 'Topes totaled four errors, one shy of their season-high.

The Isotopes found the scoreboard in the second, narrowing the deficit 3-1 off a bunt single from Angle, who scored one batter later on an RBI double from Tim Federowicz. The 'Topes backstop has been all over Redbirds pitching this season, collecting nine hits in seven games against Memphis.

The visitors added three more in the third, extending their advantage 6-1, before Albuquerque cut the lead to one with a four-run fifth. Trent Oeltjen launched the rally with a one-out single to center and advanced to third on a double from Ivan De Jesus Jr. With runners in scoring position, Castellanos grounded to short to score Oeltjen and bring the 'Topes within 6-2. Fields followed with a two-out, RBI double to left-center to plate De Jesus Jr and set the stage of Van Slyke, who capped off the inning with a two-run blast to left that brought the home team within 6-5.

Albuquerque and Memphis continue their four-game set tomorrow night at 7:05 PM. While the 'Topes starting pitcher is still to be determined, the Redbirds will throw southpaw John Gast (7-2, 4.88) in game two of the series.

The Isotopes eight-game homestand rolls on with upcoming promotions including the second of two replica jersey giveaways and the return of Dukes Retro Night! 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 .

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Pacific Coast League Stories from July 17, 2012


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