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Albuquerque Isotopes

'Topes Stumble Late, Fall To Z's 8-7

April 14, 2010 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


The Albuquerque Isotopes (3-3) overcame a three-run deficit with four runs in the bottom of the eighth only to see the lead vanish as the New Orleans Zephyrs (3-3) rallied for two runs in the top of the ninth, snatching an 8-7 victory Tuesday night at Isotopes Park. The Z's triumph snaps a nine-game losing streak at The Lab, marking the first win for New Orleans since August 2008.

In what started as a pitcher's duel quickly turned to a back-and-forth hit fest by the final three innings.

Both teams managed just five hits each through the first five frames with the Zephyrs coming away with a 1-0 lead. Albuquerque starter James McDonald dominated the Z's, fanning eight through the first four innings and then sitting down six straight. Z's starter Ryan Tucker matched McDonald's superb performance holding the Isotopes scoreless through five innings in just the fifth Triple-A start of his career.

Tucker would finally budge, allowing two 'Topes runs in the bottom of the sixth as Albuquerque claimed the lead 2-1 with an RBI single to center from Russ Mitchell and a suicide squeeze from Chin-lung Hu that plated Jamie Hoffmann from third.

With the lead intact, McDonald issued his 97th pitch of the inning to Donald Murphy, who crushed a first-pitch, two-run dinger to left with two outs to give the Zephyrs a 3-2 lead to chase McDonald from the game. Logan Morrison followed suit, welcoming reliever Juan Perez to the game with a home run to left of his own to put New Orleans up 4-2.

Albuquerque pulled within one with an infield single from Nick Green in the seventh, but the Z's made it 6-3, teeing off for their third home run a two-run shot from Bryan Petersen in the eighth. The Isotopes were poised to rally, however, stroking six singles in the bottom of the frame, including RBI knocks from John Lindsey, Green and Michael Restovich, plus a sacrifice fly from Jay Gibbons to produce four runs and a 7-6 advantage.

Not backing down, New Orleans loaded the bases off Jon Link with two outs in the top of the ninth, using a Ryan Klosterman single to center to plate two runs and go up 8-7. Former Isotope Scott Strickland (2-0) would need just six pitches to seal the win for the Z's as the Isotopes spoiled their eighth inning rally.

The Isotopes continue their eight-game homestand as southpaw Josh Lindblom (0-0, 9.00) takes on New Orleans right-hander Rick VandenHurk (1-0, 0.00) tomorrow at 6:35 p.m.

The 'Topes continue their home opening series against the New Orleans Zephyrs, Triple-A affiliate of the Florida Marlins with 50-Cent Hot Dog Night on Wednesday followed by the season's first School Day Matinee on Thursday. 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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Pacific Coast League Stories from April 14, 2010


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