Ninth Inning Heroics Help 'Topes Beat Z's, 6-4
August 2, 2011 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release
A pair of ninth-inning RBI singles from Ivan De Jesus, Jr. and Russ Mitchell helped the Albuquerque Isotopes (57-54) avoid a series sweep at the hands of the New Orleans Zephyrs (55-56), in a 6-4 'Topes win on a scorching Tuesday afternoon at Zephyr Field.
Brad Coon started the Isotopes' eventual game-winning rally, stealing second with one out in front of De Jesus, who followed with a single to left field that scored the speedy Coon to make the score 5-4, Albuquerque. De Jesus then also stole second to get into scoring position for Mitchell, who cracked a base hit to bring in De Jesus for a 6-4 âTopes lead.
âTopes reliever Jon Link came on to face the Zephyrs in the ninth, but after striking out Jesus Merchan, he allowed back-to-back singles from Tim Torres and pinch-hitter Joe Thurston, putting runners on the corners with just one out. Link coaxed Jorge Padilla into a groundout to De Jesus at short, who tagged second to get Thurston and then threw to Sands at first. The throw was wild, however, and pulled Sands off the bag, but the first baseman had the presence of mind to tag Padilla before he reached the base, sealing the 6-4 Isotopes win.
The âTopes jumped ahead, 2-0, in the top of the first inning with back-to-back, two-out solo home runs from Sands and Mitchell. However, New Orleans cut the gap to 2-1 in their half of the first on a run-scoring double-play.
New Orleans took the lead in the bottom of the third. After âTopes starter Dana Eveland hit Padilla with a pitch with one away, Vinny Rottino singled to right field to move Padilla to third base. Jose Lopez then hit a sacrifice fly to right that scored the runner from third and tied the game at 2-2. Rottino stole second and then promptly came home as Mike Cervenak doubled to left field, giving the Z's a 3-2 edge.
The lead turned out to be short-lived as the âTopes squared the game in the top of the fourth. Corey Smith delivered a one-out double and two batters later, Eveland helped himself out with a single right up the middle that scored Smith, tying the game at 3-3.
The game stayed tied until the top of the eighth, when Albuquerque grabbed the advantage again. Mitchell led off with a bloop double to right field and later moved to third on a groundout by new Isotopes catcher Tim Federowicz. That brought in Smith, who hit a grounder to second, but Lopez was unable to corral it and his throw to first was not in time, allowing Smith to reach and Mitchell to score, putting the âTopes back on top 4-3.
But the Z's responded in their half of the eighth, which began with Rottino drawing a lead-off walk from âTopes reliever Joe Newby. Lopez followed with a single that moved Rottino to third. Newby then struck out Cervenak, but former Isotope Chris Aguila hit into a fielder's choice that got Rottino home and tied the game at 4-4. Aguila stole second with Matt Dominguez at the plate, but Newby kept the game tied by striking out Dominguez to end the eighth. .
Newby (2-5) earned the win for Albuquerque in relief, giving up one run (earned) on one hit over two innings. Z's reliever Garrett Purcell (0-1) took the loss. Link notched his 11th save of the season.
Albuquerque returns home to Isotopes Park tomorrow to start an eight-game homestand with a four-game series against the Tacoma Rainiers. Right-hander Mike Parisi (1-1, 9.90) makes the start for the Isotopes against Rainiers lefty Mauricio Robles (1-2, 9.58). First pitch from The Lab is 7:05 PM.
The homestand will also feature several exciting events, including a lunch bag giveaway on Thursday (first 1,500 fans), courtesy of Webster University, and an Orbit Bank giveaway (first 3,000 fans) on Friday, courtesy of US Bank. 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.
• Discuss this story on the Pacific Coast League message board...
Pacific Coast League Stories from August 2, 2011
- Redbirds Complete Sweep of Cubs - Iowa Cubs
- Omaha Completes Sweep, 13-2 - Oklahoma City Baseball Club
- 'Birds Fly Away with Series - Memphis Redbirds
- Chasers Finish off Four-Game Sweep of OKC - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Express Shut out in Finale 7-0 - Round Rock Express
- De La Cruz Dominates Express, Leads Sounds to 5-0 Shutout - Nashville Sounds
- Fien Released, Goebbert Joins OKC - Oklahoma City Baseball Club
- Anthony Rizzo Named PCL Player of the Week - Tucson Padres
- Rainiers stopped by Las Vegas, 6-2 - Tacoma Rainiers
- Fireworks, Jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights Concert Highlight Home Stand - Round Rock Express
- Ninth Inning Heroics Help 'Topes Beat Z's, 6-4 - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Isotopes Avoid Sweep, Defeat Z's, 6-4 - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- RedHawks Game Notes - Oklahoma City Baseball Club
- Round Rock Express - Game Notes at Nashville Sounds - Round Rock Express
- Giveaways, Fireworks on Tap for Aces' Eight-Game Homestand - Reno Aces
- 51s Host Oklahoma City & New Orleans for 8 Games from August 3-10 - Las Vegas Aviators
- Pill, Christian Guide Grizzlies Past Aces - Fresno Grizzlies
- Grizzlies Down Aces, 9-7 - Reno Aces
- Rainiers Top Las Vegas, 4-2 - Tacoma Rainiers
- Padres Fall in 11 - Tucson Padres
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.
