The Albuquerque Isotopes dealt a loss to the Reno Aces, shutting them out 3-0 during the team's final home game Thursday at Isotopes Park.
A near-capacity crowd of 12,234 attended to see the conclusion of the 15th season of Isotopes baseball, which extended its record to 39-32 in home games.
According to the team website, Albuquerque is 66-71 and sits four and a half games behind El Paso in the Pacific Southern division.
Though the team has been officially eliminated from playoff contention, Albuquerque head coach Glenallen Hill seemed to enjoy the opportunity to play in front of the fans one last time this season.
“Our players love and appreciate the fact that we play in a stadium like this,” Hill said. “We absolutely appreciate...the support from the front office and the city."
Isotopes pitcher Yency Almonte pitched for the first five innings of the game, giving up just five hits on the way to improving his Triple-A record to 3-1.
The game remained deadlocked at 0-0 more than an hour into the contest until Jordan Patterson hammered the first home run of the night.
Then, about five minutes later, former major-leaguer Ryan Howard knocked a second solo homer into the stands, putting the Isotopes up 2-0.
Relief pitcher Tyler Anderson came on in the sixth inning to replace Almonte and closed the door on the Reno Aces to preserve the win. He struck out four and surrendered just one hit during his three-inning stint on the mound.
In the seventh inning, catcher Anthony Bemboom made it a trifecta, hitting the third Isotopes homer of the night, which was also his third home run of the season.
Shane Carle replaced Anderson for the ninth inning and registered his first save of the season by striking out Ronnie Freeman.
The Isotopes will now head to Nevada where they will play the final four games over the regular season against the Aces at Greater Nevada Field.
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Pitcher Ryan Carpenter is only 12 strikeouts away from setting the new strikeout record for the Isotopes.
“That’s a little bit of a tall order to do, but…I’m going to go out there and do my best to do that,” Carpenter said.
The pitcher will likely have just one start to accomplish the feat, as the season seemed to sneak up on some of the players and coaches.
“I (can’t) believe this season is over,” Hill said. “This season has gone by fast, because it’s a lot of fun.”
Although the Isotopes have been eliminated from post-season play, they will be looking to end things on a high note and improve in the final standings.
Aaron Cowan is a volunteer sports reporter for the Daily Lobo. He primarily covers volleyball and men's and women's golf. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @AaronTCowan.
