On July 7-11, the eyes of Triple-A Baseball were drawn to Isotopes Park, as Albuquerque became the first city to ever host the Triple-A All-Star Game twice.

Timo Perez was 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs, and Mike Hessman and Brandon Moss hit back-to-back home runs as part of a four-run first inning for the International League, which defeated the Pacific Coast League 7-5 before 12,367 Wednesday night in the 20^th-annual Triple-A All-Star Game held at Isotopes Park.

The victory was the IL’s fourth over the PCL in the last five years and evened the series at 5-5 in the 10 years the game has been played under its current format, pitting the two Triple-A leagues.

Perez, who was awarded both the MLBAM International League Star of the Game award and the Baseball America Most Valuable Player award, started the scoring with an RBI double in the first. Perez was aboard as Hessman, who has 26 homers and 84 RBIs with Toledo this season, belted a two-run shot over the wall in right. Moss, of the Pawtucket Red Sox, followed with a solo shot to left field off PCL starter Justin Lehr (0-1), who took the loss by allowing the four runs, three hits and a walk in an inning of work.

Valentino Pascucci of the host Albuquerque Isotopes hit a two-run homer and drew a walk to lead the PCL All-Stars and claim the MLBAM Pacific Coast League Star of the Game honor.

Indianapolis pitcher Bryan Bullington (1-0) struck out four and gave up two runs and two hits in two innings of work to get the victory for the International League All-Stars, who have won the last two all-star contests.

Norfolk’s Cory Doyne, who leads all Triple-A pitchers with 26 saves at the break, closed the door in the ninth, striking out Pascucci with a runner on first for the all-star save.

In the bottom of the first, Tacoma’s Adam Jones reached on a two-out double and Pascucci cut the International League’s lead in half with a line drive home run to left.

The IL went back to work in the second, getting a leadoff single and a stolen base from Indianapolis’ Brian Bixler, who scored on a double down the left field line by Brandon Watson, a center fielder from Columbus who set an International League record with a 43-game hitting streak earlier this season.

Bixler reached on a fielding error and stole second to start the fourth. With two outs, Rochester’s Matt Tolbert lined an RBI single into center. Perez followed with an RBI single to give the International League a 7-2 lead.

Craig Brazell, a first baseman from Omaha who leads the minors with a combined 30 home runs between Class AA and Triple-A, belted a solo homer that sparked a three-run rally for the PCL in the fourth. Salt Lake right fielder Terry Evans then stroked a one-out double to center, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a sac fly to center by Colorado Springs shortstop Clint Barmes. Iowa’s Eric Patterson capped the inning with a line drive single to center that scored Nashville catcher Vinny Rottino.

The PCL loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the eighth, but Rochester reliever Bobby Korecky struck out Albuquerque’s Robert Andino to preserve the IL’s 7-5 lead.

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The All-Star Game was, though, just the culmination of a five-day "fiesta", that included an All-Star Gala, Luncheon, Home Run Derby and two-day Fan Fest.

In Monday night's PNM Power Derby, former Isotope Robert Stratton outlasted Omaha Royals slugger Craig Brazell in a "slug-off" to decide the winner. The All-Star Fan Fest, held at the downtown Albuquerque Convention Center, featured a slew of exhibits and activities for fans of any age. 'Topes broadcaster Robert Portnoy joined Albuquerque Dukes star Tom Paciorek as on-field emcees, and the participants included former Dodger great Mike Marshall and a pair of New Mexico High School stars.

The Fan Fest had a particular Dodger flavor, as the Isotopes paid tribute to the relationship shared between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Albuquerque Dukes. A number of former Dukes and Dodgers were on-hand to sign autographs--including Steve Garvey, Ron Cey, Bill Russell, Marshall, Jerry Royster, Jack Perconte and Terry McDermott.

At the week's All-Star Luncheon, the legendary Tommy Lasorda became the first inductee into the Albuquerque Baseball Hall of Fame.

To view photos of the Triple-A All-Star Game, CLICK HERE!

To view photos of the PNM Power Derby, CLICK HERE!