On May 14 and 15, the Albuquerque Isotopes took on the Tacoma Rainiers for games 2 and 3 of the series. The Isotopes lost the series opener 9-1 to Tacoma on May 13 and looked to take a win and tie the series up 1-1 in game 2 on May 14.
The Isotopes got off to a good start in game 2 as after a scoreless first inning by both teams. The Isotopes batted in 3 runs with the highlight coming from Sterlin Thompson who had a two run double.
However, that was the only inning the Isotopes would put points on the board as they did not score another run for the rest of the game. Tacoma immediately responded, scoring three runs of their own at the top of the third, due to the Isotopes committing multiple fielding errors. At the top of the sixth, Tacoma third baseman Austin Shenton hit a solo home run which gave Tacoma a 4-3 lead.
Tacoma’s lead would extend to 6-3 in the 9th inning where they batted in two runs. That would be the final score of the game as the Isotopes had a scoreless 9th and would go down 2-0 in the series.
Down 2-0 in the series, the Isotopes entered game 3 on May 15, looking to avoid going down 3-0. Game 3 started with Tacoma shortstop Cole Young hitting a solo home run in the top of the first. That would be the only points scored until the third inning when Tacoma would score another run.
Down 2-0 going into the bottom of the third, the Isotopes needed to put some runs on the board, and that is exactly what they did. They scored 3 runs in the inning taking a 3-2 lead. Tacoma would tie the game when they brought a runner home in the 5th, the game would remain tied as both teams scored a run in the 7th putting the score at 4-4.
Both teams went scoreless in the 8th, and the Rainiers were not able to put up any runs in the 9th. With the score tied 4-4 and the Isotopes set to bat, they were in prime position to take home the game. After designated hitter Ezequiel Tovar hit a double, Isotopes shortstop Ryan Ritter stepped up to the plate. Not only did Ritter step up to the plate but he stepped up to the moment: He hit a walk-off double leading to an Isotopes victory.
“It’s great, we needed that win — it leads into tomorrow with momentum,” Ritter said. “We’ve been working our butts off so having a game come down to the wire like that and being able to compete in the pressure situations it's great to come out with that win.”
Rodney Prunty is the sports editor for the Daily Lobo. He can be contacted at sports@dailylobo.com or on X @rprunty05
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