'Topes usurp Royals
Published on June 20, 2009 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release
Chin-Lung Hu supplied three RBI, including the go-ahead run in the fifth, and Hyang-Nam Choi tossed three scoreless innings of relief as the Albuquerque Isotopes (34-35) toppled the Omaha Royals (27-42) 7-4 Saturday night in front of a season-high crowd of 11,544.
After falling behind 4-0, the Isotopes used two three-run innings to snatch a lead they would not relinquish.
Albuquerque started its first rally in the bottom of the third with three straight RBI from its one, two and three hitters. After opening the frame with a single to left-center, Luis Maza hustled from first to third on a groundout by Sergio Garcia. One batter later, Maza employed his slick base-running skills again, pushing across the first âTopes run. Jason Repko ground to third while Maza simultaneously bolted for home. The throw from Travis Metcalf was off, however, allowing Maza to slide in safely and Repko to take first. Hu followed with a double, plating Repko while Blake DeWitt brought the âTopes to within 4-3 with a first-pitch single to plate Hu.
Hu's second big hit arrived in the bottom of the fifth with the âTopes behind 4-3. After back-to-back singles from Garcia and Repko, Hu unloaded his second double of the night, sending home the two âTopes base-runners and giving Albuquerque its first lead, 5-4. Hu moved to third on a groundout from DeWitt before Jamie Hoffmann lifted a sacrifice fly to center to push across Hu for a 6-4 âTopes advantage.
The âTopes added another tally in the bottom of the eighth for good measure, using a J.D. Closser run-scoring single to plate Dee Brown, who dumped a double to left, for a 7-4 edge.
The only runs Omaha managed came early as the âTopes held the Royals scoreless after the second inning. Starter Miguel Pinango surrendered a Cory Aldridge bases-clearing double in the bottom of the first before Irving Falu deposited a two-out offering over the right-field wall in the top of the second to provide Omaha with the 4-0 lead.
After retiring the final seven batters he faced, Pinango exited in the fourth, handing the ball to Choi (2-0), who scattered three hits over three innings while logging four strikeouts for the third time in his last five outings. Erick Threets and Scott Strickland (11) each provided a hitless inning of relief with Strickland picking up his eleventh save of the season.
Albuquerque will take wrap up its series with the O-Royals tomorrow with lefty Will Ohman (0-0, 0.00) making a spot-start against Royals Major League rehabbing righty Sidney Ponson (0-0, 0.00) in a 6:05 PM start from Isotopes Park.
The âTopes' big Father's Day Weekend homestand rolls on with a very special Father's Day celebration Sunday, complete with BBQ apron giveaway, pre-game father/child catch, and a jersey auction benefitting prostate cancer awareness. 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.
Pacific Coast League Stories from June 20, 2009
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- Reno edges Rainiers - Reno Aces
- 'Topes usurp Royals - Albuquerque Isotopes
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- Round Rock tops New Orleans - Round Rock Express
- Last At-Bat Homer Sinks Sounds On Saturday - Nashville Sounds
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- Cubs tie Redbirds - Iowa Cubs
- Royals' upcoming games and promotions - Omaha Storm Chasers
- RedHawks Game Notes for June 20 - Oklahoma City Comets
- Sounds Pound RedHawks, 14-3 - Nashville Sounds
- Big Inning Blasts Tacoma - Tacoma Rainiers
- 9-Run Inning Lifts Aces To Victory - Reno Aces
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