ISOTOPES TAKE SERIES FROM ‘HAWKS WITH 5-3 WIN
The Albuquerque Isotopes (58-48) proved they could scratch out, not just slug out a win, edging the Oklahoma City RedHawks (54-41) 5-3 in the series finale Friday night at Isotopes Park. One night removed from the biggest offensive onslaught in team history, the ‘Topes pulled out a crafty victory to up their lead in the American Southern division to a season-high 3.5 games over the ‘Hawks and finish July 19-8, good for the second best monthly winning percentage in team history at .703.
Albuquerque combined a four run first inning and substantial pitching to secure the series win. After scoring eight runs in the first frame, and 23 total, on Thursday night, the ‘Topes resumed their offensive deluge with a considerable first inning, sending eight men to the plate.
‘Topes Snatch the Lead…
Okie City grabbed a 2-0 lead in the top of the inning via a Brandon Boggs two-run blast, but in what has become an expected response, the ‘Topes snatched the lead away in no time. Tony Abreu worked a lead-off walk and quickly scored on a Doug Mientkiewicz double to left center. Brett Harper, celebrating his 28th birthday, delivered his fourth home run in 12 games as a ‘Tope with a two-run shot to right for a 3-2 Albuquerque lead. Dee Brown followed with a first-pitch double and put the ‘Topes up 4-2, scoring on a Jason Repko single two batters later.
Although the first frame indicated another high-scoring affair, both ‘Topes starter Giancarlo Alvarado and ‘Hawks hurler Elizardo Ramirez settled down to hold the opposing offense scoreless over the next 4.2 innings. Alvarado conceded a sacrifice fly in the top of the sixth to bring Oklahoma City within a run at 4-3, but notched two huge outs with the sac fly and a strikeout of ‘Topes killer Royce Huffman after allowing back-to-back doubles to open the inning. Both starters lasted 5.2 frames with a battle of the bullpens ensuing.
After Alvarado’s departure, newest ‘Tope Brent Leach caught Emerson Frostad looking to end the inning. Leach issued consecutive walks with one out in the seventh, but managed to come away unscathed with a groundout and fly out from the ‘Hawks two and three hitters to finish a scoreless inning and a third.
Breathing Room for the Isotopes & Then the Win…
Harper gave the ‘Topes breathing room with his game-high third RBI in the bottom of the seventh. Jamie Hoffmann increased his hitting streak to 18 games, roping his third triple in two games down the right-field line in his final at-bat, setting up Harper’s sac fly to right that upped the Albuquerque edge to 5-3.
From there, Major League rehabbing reliever Cory Wade faced four batters and used 14 pitchers to sit down the ‘Hawks in the eighth before handing the ninth to closer extradionare Scott Strickland, who breezed through the ninth 1-2-3 for his 22nd save of the season. Alvarado picked up his fifth straight home win to improve to 9-8 after allowing just six hits, one walk and the three runs. The right-hander matched a season low with three strikeouts, but flashed the leather with two put outs and one assist. Ramirez was saddled with the tough-luck loss to fall to 7-8 as Albuquerque to finished 13-2 at home in July.
“Topes at It Again…
Albuquerque will hit the road tomorrow for a short four-game road trip against the Nashville Sounds, Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. Lefty Eric Stults (3-1, 4.29) will take the mound for the ‘Topes riding a three-game winning streak facing Sounds lefty Chris Cody (4-6, 4.20) in a 5:00 PM MT start at Greer Stadium.
After the quick road trip, the Isotopes are back next Wednesday for another eight-game homestand that includes an appearance by Birdzerk!, an Orbit Bank Giveaway, and the always popular Cowbell Night! 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.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |
| Okla. City | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 0 |
| Albuquerque | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | x | 5 | 10 | 0 |
WP- Alvarado (9-8); LP- Ramirez (7-8); Sv- Strickland (22)
Attendance: 12,525
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