Zephyrs Top 'Topes, 9-5
Published on July 25, 2011 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release
The Albuquerque Isotopes (54-49) tried but could not dig out of an early hole as the New Orleans Zephyrs (50-53) took the final game of their four-game series, 9-5, on Monday afternoon at Isotopes Park.
New Orleans cracked the scoreboard first with a three-run burst in the third inning. With runners on first and second and one away, Jose Lopez singled to right-center to score Vinny Rottino for a 1-0 Zephyr lead. That brought up Mike Cervenak, who laced a triple to right-center field that plated two more runs, making it 3-0, Z's.
New Orleans then delivered a four-run blow to the ¬ËTopes in the fourth inning. Following a lead-off single from Ozzie Martinez, Tim Torres homered to left-center to give the Zephyrs a 5-0 edge. Three batters later, Lopez struck again with a two-run homer, pushing the Z's lead to 7-0. The visitors would tack on one more run in the top of the fifth via a bases-loaded walk from relief pitcher Adam Dedeaux for an 8-0 advantage.
Albuquerque finally got on the board in their half of the fifth inning. After Trayvon Robinson was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, Jamie Hoffmann followed with a walk, setting up A.J. Ellis, who ripped a three-run shot, his second homer in four days, to bring the Isotopes to within 8-3. The homer was the first hit of the game surrendered by Z's starter Tom Koehler, who then fired a pitch behind the head of the next batter, Justin Sellers, and was immediately ejected. Robinson was also ejected for arguing from the bench.
The ¬ËTopes continued to climb back into the game in the seventh inning. With runners on the corners and two down, Sellers hammered a double into the gap in left-center plating both base runners and bringing Albuquerque all the way back to within just three runs at 8-5.
After a scoreless eighth for New Orleans, the ¬ËTopes attempted to keep climbing in the bottom half of the inning. Jerry Sands started the rally by lifting a high pop-up that second baseman Lopez lost in the sun and dropped to the dirt for a one-out single, followed by another single from pinch-hitter Jay Gibbons. A walk to Joe Becker loaded the bases and spelled the end of Z's reliever Pete Andrelczyk, who gave way to Sandy Rosario. But the ¬ËTopes were unable to capitalize as Hoffmann struck out and Smith flew out to end the threat. In the ninth, New Orleans tacked on one final run of insurance on a solo homer from Cervenak that would be the final scoring of the afternoon in a 9-5 Zephyrs win.
Zephyrs reliever Darin Downs (1-0) earned the win in relief, giving up two runs on three hits in 2.2 innings of work. ¬ËTopes spot-starter Joe Newby (1-4) suffered the loss.
The ¬ËTopes now head off on an eight-game road swing against the Omaha Storm Chasers and the Zephyrs that begins in Nebraska tomorrow night. Lefty Randy Keisler (6-4, 3.99) makes the start in the series opener for the Isotopes against Chasers southpaw Mike Montgomery (3-6, 5.33) in a 6:05 PM MT start from Werner Park.
Albuquerque will return to Isotopes Park on Wednesday, August 3rd to start another eight-game homestand against the Tacoma Rainiers and Salt Lake Bees which includes a slew of great giveaways like Orbit Banks and Isotopes Hats as well as a fireworks extravaganza. 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 July 25, 2011
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- Rainiers Shut Down at Salt Lake - Tacoma Rainiers
- RedHawks Complete Sweep with 8-2 Win - Oklahoma City Comets
- Nashville Wins 8-3 Over Cubs In Finale - Nashville Sounds
- Zephyrs Top 'Topes, 9-5 - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Aces Host Las Vegas for Conclusion of Silver State Diamond Challenge - Reno Aces
- Round Rock Continues Hit Parade in Win - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Zephyrs Earn Split in Albuquerque - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Round Rock Express Storm Past Omaha 9-2 - Round Rock Express
- Aguila Named PCL Player of the Week - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- PCL Names Players of the Week - PCL1
- Round Rock Express - Series Preview Vs. Memphis Redbirds - Round Rock Express
- Sounds' De La Cruz Named PCL Pitcher of the Week - Nashville Sounds
- Tucson Padres Return Home Tuesday - Tucson Padres
- RedHawks Game Notes - Oklahoma City Comets
- Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report - OSC Original by Dan Krieger
- Round Rock Express - Game Notes at Omaha Storm Chasers - Round Rock Express
- Tucson Blows Lead, Wins with Homer in 13th - Tucson Padres
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