The Albuquerque Isotopes are returning to their home park this week undoubtedly feeling confident after sweeping the division-leading Omaha Royals and winning 11 of their last 15 games on the road.
Players hope that success will translate into some home victories during a four-game series against the Memphis Redbirds starting Thursday. The series finale will mark the end of the first half of the season and the beginning of a well-deserved three-day break for Albuquerque after playing 18 games in 18 days in four parks.
The series with the Redbirds comes at a crucial time for the 'Topes as the sweep of Omaha brings them within 4.5 games of the lead the Royals hold in the Central Division of the American Conference. If Albuquerque can manage to win the home series, it would be the third series win in a row and will give the team a big boost heading into the three-day All Star break.
The Redbirds are dead last in the Pacific Coast League's East Division, sitting 14 games behind the Nashville Sounds with a record of 38-53.
The Isotopes have split the season series with Memphis 4-4 but each game was played in Tennessee and the Redbirds have outscored Albuquerque 22-18 with their pitching staff hurling two shutouts.
But now the Redbirds are playing at Isotopes Park which may not exactly bode well for either team. The 'Topes are 6-10 in their last 16 at home and the Redbirds are 5-11 in their last 16 on the road. But both teams are hot coming into this series with the Redbirds winning their last five in a row and the Isotopes winning five of their last six.
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Thursday night's projected starter for the Isotopes is 33-year-old right-hander Sean Bergman who is 2-9 with a 5.52 ERA on the season.
After the series, representatives from the Pacific Coast League will face off against players from the International League in the 16th annual Triple-A All Star game to be played July 16 in AutoZone Park in Memphis, Tenn.
Rules mandate that each league must use a player from every team within its conference and the Isotopes will be represented by outfielder Robert Stratton who leads the minors in home runs belting out his 28th on July 9 and is bound to be the favorite for the All Star home run derby July 15.
Stratton will not be the only Pacific Coast League player who is handy with the wood as the game's only .400 hitter, Bubba Crosby of the Las Vegas 51s, will join Stratton in the outfield. The All Star game looks to be a classic duel as the International League's pitching roster is loaded with talent featuring five players who have earned at least seven victories this season.
The All Star game can be seen on ESPN2.
The Isotopes' series opener against Memphis will feature a tribute to the history and players of the Negro Leagues. The tribute will begin when gates open at 6 p.m. and will feature videos, program inserts about the history of the Negro Leagues and a ceremonial first pitch to be thrown out by NAACP Albuquerque chapter president Harold Bailey. Players on either team will also play in the uniforms of past Negro League teams and fans can hear the Negro Leagues' National anthem, "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing," prior to the Star Spangled Banner.
