Sports stats



PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

'Topes walk off with 4-3 win over Zephyrs

April 21, 2007 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


With the game knotted 3-3, Valentino Pascucci crushed a 3-0 pitch deep over the wall in left field to lead off the ninth inning and carry the Albuquerque Isotopes (7-9) to a 4-3 walk-off victory over the New Orleans Zephyrs (10-7) in the series opener Saturday night at Isotopes Park.

The ‘Topes had to rally for two runs in the eighth inning to tie the score at three, then Pascucci came to the plate in the ninth and finished things off quickly, utilizing the green light on a 3-0 offering from Jose Santiago and depositing it over the bullpens in left-center. The win snaps a three-game losing skid for Albuquerque and halts a five-game winning streak for New Orleans.

Reliever Nate Field (2-1) earned the victory, tossing a scoreless ninth inning with two strikeouts. Starter Jeff Fulchino was outstanding, scattering no runs on just three hits over six innings. Roy Corcoran spelled Fulchino in the seventh and struggled, surrendering three runs on four hits over two frames.

Santiago (0-2) was pinned with the loss, allowing three runs-including Pascucci's game-winner in the ninth. New Orleans starter Philip Humber gave up a run on six hits over seven innings of work.

The ‘Topes quickly jumped on the board, using a solo homer in the first inning by John Gall to go ahead 1-0. That margin would stand until the seventh, when New Orleans was able to crack the Albuquerque bullpen. The first Zephyr run crossed on a passed ball, then two more would score on a Lastings Milledge single. In all, New Orleans scored three times in the seventh on two hits and two Isotopes errors.

In the eighth, Albuquerque fought back. Gall chased home a run on a ground ball to shortstop, then Chad Hermansen knocked home the tying run with a single to left. New Orleans went quietly in the top half of the ninth inning, setting up Pascucci's walk-off shot in the home half.

The ‘Topes totaled 11 hits on the night, with Gall, Hermansen and Pascucci each putting together a two-hit night.

New Orleans received a two-hit effort from Anderson Hernandez, Andy Tracy and Chip Ambres.

The series rolls on tomorrow with a 1:35 PM start at Isotopes Park. Sunday's scheduled starter for Albuquerque, right-hander Wes Obermueller, was assigned to the Big Leagues and will start for the Florida Marlins on Sunday. In Obermueller's place, Nic Ungs (0-1, 3.27) takes the ball for the ‘Topes. Former Isotopes southpaw Jason Vargas (2-0, 1.50) gets the nod for the Zephyrs. Sunday's matinee includes the Isotopes' annual Salute to Public Safety, while the first 3,000 fans through the turnstiles will receive an Isotopes Pennant, courtesy of Coca-Cola.

Tickets can be purchased at Isotopes Park or any Ticketmaster outlet, www.ticketmaster.com, or Ticketmaster by phone 505-883-7800. For more information, visit www.albuquerquebaseball.com or call 505-924-2255.

Check out the Albuquerque Isotopes Statistics

• Discuss this story on the Pacific Coast League message board...

Pacific Coast League Stories from April 21, 2007


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central