'Topes Battered by 'Birds, 9-5

The Albuquerque Isotopes (47-35) ran into a one-man wrecking crew in the person of Matt Adams, who went 4-for-5 with two homers and five RBI to lead the Memphis Redbirds (30-52) to a 9-5 win Friday night at AutoZone Park. The 'Topes got homers from red-hot Trent Oeltjen and Luis Cruz but they were to no avail as Albuquerque dropped two of three to the 'Birds for its first series loss in four tries.

Memphis surged ahead in the first courtesy of a two-run homer by Adams to give the 'Birds a quick 2-0 lead before the Isotopes responded in the top of the second. With runners on first and second, Tyler Henson roped a two-out single to left, scoring Tim Federowicz from second and cutting the Redbirds lead to 2-1.

After the 'Birds scored again in the bottom of the second, the 'Topes answered in the top of the third when Oeltjen smashed a solo homer to right, keeping Albuquerque within one run at 3-2.

Things got of hand for the 'Topes in the bottom of the fourth, as Memphis blew the game open with a four-spot, executed entirely with two outs and ignited by an RBI double by Adams that put the Redbirds ahead 4-2. After back-to-back RBI singles by Cedric Hunter and Eugenio Velez increased the led to 6-2, Zack Cox capped the big frame with a run-scoring double to put the home team ahead 7-2.

The Redbirds added some insurance thanks to Adams, who added his second two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth to give Memphis a 9-2 cushion. The 'Birds first baseman finished the night coming a triple away from the cycle with a single, a double, and two homers while knocking in five.

Albuquerque attempted to get off the mat in the seventh, when Matt Angle was hit by a pitch, Henson singled, and pinch-hitter Joe Becker walked to load the bases with one out. Oeltjen drew another free pass that plated Angle before Brian Cavazos-Galvez lifted a sacrifice fly to right that plated Henson and trimmed the lead to 9-4.

Finally, Cruz smashed a solo homer to left in the eighth to bring the 'Topes within 9-5, but that's as close as the visitors would get, as Redbirds Maikel Cleto retired the Isotopes in order in the ninth, striking out two, to help Memphis cruise to the victory.

Albuquerque will now head to Omaha for a four-game series against the PCL's best team in the Omaha Storm Chasers. Right-hander Will Savage (10-3, 5.21) will make the start in the series opener against Chasers righty Nathan Adcock (4-2, 3.03) in a 6:05 PM MT start from Werner Park.

After a series in Omaha, the Isotopes are back home Wednesday, July 4 for an Independence Day celebration in which fans will be able to watch the 'Topes' annual Fourth of July fireworks spectacular from the field! The day also features a pre-game concert in the team's Captain's Corner by classic rock cover band Stratus Phear. In addition to the July 4th fireworks, the short, five-game homestand also features Saturday fireworks and an appearance by Myron Noodleman.

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.abqisotopes.com or www.ticketmaster.com.