Tempers Flare As Redbirds Lose 13-10 Slugfest

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - The Albuquerque Isotopes scored five runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to win 13-10 over the Memphis Redbirds on Saturday night at Isotopes Park. The Redbirds committed six errors and matched a franchise record with 14 walks.

Both teams combined for 25 walks on the evening. The 14 walks matched Redbirds single-game record, previously set on July 11, 1999 vs. Vancouver. Maikel Cleto set a career-high with eight free passes, which also tied a Redbirds' single-game record, previously set by P.J. Walters on May 15, 2011 vs. Fresno. The last time Memphis committed five errors was June 22, 2007 at Round Rock.

Four of the Redbirds Six errors on the night were committed in the eighth inning, as the Isotopes batted around against Marc Rzepczynski (0-2). Elian Herrera walked with the bases loaded to force the game-winning run home. The ball only left the infield once during the frame.

Brock Peterson went 2-for-3 with two home runs, four RBIs, three runs scored, and a pair of walks to lead the charge for Memphis. The multi-homer effort was his third of the season and moved the slugger into a tie for third place in the PCL. Travis Tartamella went 2-for-2 with an RBI, while Oscar Taveras drove in two.

The Redbirds had their only lead at 1-0 in the second inning as Peterson hit his first home run of the game.

Albuquerque quickly answered, moving ahead at 3-1 in the next frame on an inning-opening walk and three singles. The Isotopes scored again in the next frame after Jeremy Moore was plunked in the back by Cleto to cause both benches to be warned. Moore moved to second on a groundout, stole third, and scored on an infield groundout.

The Redbirds got their next run in the fourth as Peterson worked a one-out walk. Jamie Romak then crushed his 18th double of the season to center.

Things got a little testy in the bottom of the fourth as Albuquerque plated four for an 8-2 advantage. Cleto began the inning by allowing the first three batters to reach on a single and two walks before being replaced by Jorge Rondon. Three pitches later, Moore got revenge and crushed a three-run homer to right-center.

After offering up a three-run homer, Rondon would hit Justin Sellers in the back to ignite the bench-clearing brawl and cause eight ejections from both teams, including both managers.

Once the game was resumed after a 25-minute delay, Memphis sent nine batters to the dish in the fifth to score five runs. After the first three batters of the inning reached, Kolten Wong worked a bases-loaded RBI walk to score Tartamella and chase Rob Rasmussen from the game. Kelvin De La Cruz then entered and gave up a Taveras sacrifice fly and Peterson's second homer of the game, a three-run shot over the right field wall.

Memphis tied the game at 8-8 in the sixth as Chad Huffman reached on a fielder's choice. Huffman moved to second on a Wong single and scored as Taveras knocked an RBI base hit to left.

Memphis scored two in the ninth on a Travis Tartamella RBI single and Huffman double trail by four in the ninth, but Oscar Taveras grounded into a game-ending double play with the bases loaded.

Both starters earned no decisions. Cleto was being charged with a season-high seven runs over three innings (90 pitches, 37 for strikes). Rasmussen worked four innings, yielding two runs on four hits with four strikeouts.

Sam Freeman struck out four over three scoreless innings to extend his consecutive scoreless streak to a team-best 13.1 innings for relievers, passing Victor Marte. Rzepczynski allowed three runs (one earned) on four hits and three walks in 1 1/3 innings.

The Redbirds and Isotopes continue their series at 7:05 pm CT on Sunday evening at Isotopes Park. Memphis' starter has yet to be announced. Albuquerque will start right-hander Red Patterson (3-1, 4.09).