Albuquerque Isotopes Lose to the Omaha Chasers in the American Conference Championship Series

After a historic come-from-behind win in game four of the American Conference Championship Series, the Isotopes fell to the Omaha Chasers in the fifth and final game of the series yesterday. On Saturday, the ‘Topes scored nine runs in the seventh inning which eventually earned them the 12-10 win to tie the series at two wins apiece. The victory was the Isotopes first ever postseason win at home.

Some familiar names helped lead the epic comeback in the bottom of the seventh inning in game four. The ‘Topes were down 10-3, but Elian Herrera lead-off with a triple to right field which sparked the run fest. Dee Gordon reached base safely after Omaha third baseman Anthony Seratelli misplayed the ball. Josh Fields singled which allowed Herrera to score. Red Sox property Jerry Sands, hit a double to right which plated another two runs. Scott Van Slyke followed suit with another double allowing Sands to score. The ‘Topes had now cut the lead to 10-7. Trent Oeltjen (remember him?) singled to left off the new reliever the Chasers brought in. Van Slyke made a nice maneuver to avoid the tag at home on a line drive hit by Matt Angle. The scoring didn’t stop there. Josh Bard singled. Then Tony Gwynn Jr., who we should be seeing called up to the Dodgers any day now, blasted a three-run homerun which put the Isotopes ahead 11-10. Then Elian Herrera, who had lead-off the inning, tripled for the second time in the inning, and that added Albuquerque’s twelfth run of the game and seventh run of the inning. Herrera is now the first player in Isotopes history to hit two triples in one inning. Lorenzo Barecelo came in and received the win after pitching three innings and preserving the lead.

What a comeback! Baseball is surely different in Albuquerque than it is at Dodger Stadium.

The Isotopes outfield: Scott Van Slyke, Trent Oeltjen & Jerry Sands. Photo: Jim Thompson

The ‘Topes season would come to an end on Sunday when they failed to stave off the Pacific Coast League Championship Series bound Chasers in the finale game. The Chasers had already surmounted a 10-0 lead by the fourth inning. The Chasers would end up clinching the series victory with a 16-7 score at Isotopes Park.

John Ely is the PCL Pitcher of the Year. Photo: Albuquerque Isotopes

The Isotopes finish their season with a 80-64 record behind their PCL Manager of the Year Lorenzo Bundy. 80 wins is a franchise record. PCL All-Stars were John Ely, Josh Wall, and Tim Federowicz. John Ely won the PCL Triple Crown and Pitcher of the Year Award. Ely led the league in ERA (3.20). He finished with a 14-7 record with 165 strikeouts and just 36 walks in 168 2/3 innings pitched. Alex Castellanos led the team in batting average (.328) which was good for eighth in the league.

The Dodgers and the Isotopes have recently extended their affiliate partnership through the 2014 season. The ‘Topes have been AAA affiliates of the Dodgers for four seasons.

You can read more about the Isotopes on their official website.