Once again, it was up to the pitching of the Albuquerque Isotopes to secure a win.

For the second straight night, it preserved a one-run lead.

The five-some of Giancarlo Alvarado, Hyang-Nam Choi, Travis Schlicting, Erick Threets and Scott Strickland combined to give the Isotopes a 4-3 win over the Memphis Redbirds in Pacific Coast League baseball on Friday.

A crowd of 15,358 at Isotopes Park saw Albuquerque sweep the Redbirds in a three-game set and increase its lead in the American South Division to 2 1/2 games over the Oklahoma City RedHawks.

The Isotopes (42-39) walked the tightrope over the final three innings, as Memphis got the tying run into scoring position in each frame. But the quartet of Choi, Schlicting, Threets and Strickland kept their opponent off the scoreboard.

Choi escaped a one-out jam with runners at second and third base in the seventh by retiring Nick Stavinoha and Brian Barden on fly balls. An inning later, Schlicting recorded an out before giving way to Threets, who inherited a runner at second. He retired Mark Hamilton and Brandon Yarbrough to end the threat.

Closer Scott Strickland walked Shane Robinson to open the ninth, then retired the next three batters for his 16th save and his third in as many days.

The Isotopes got off to a quick start at the plate as Dee Brown smacked his 15th home run, a three-run shot for 3-0.

Memphis (36-43) scored a run in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings, while Albuquerque squeezed in a run in the fifth.

Alvarado (6-6) gave up two of the runs as he lasted five innings, giving up five hits and a walk while striking out seven.