Following a tough road trip to Oklahoma City, the Albuquerque Isotopes were back at home to face off in a series versus the Las Vegas Aviators last week. The Isotopes ended up struggling in the series, losing 5 out of 6 games.
Game one slipped away from Albuquerque with a 5-3 loss on Taco Tuesday. The game started out slow for both teams before the Isotopes found some rhythm in the fifth inning. They scored three runs, including a big double from designated hitter Edouard Julien, leading to two runs batted in; however, the lead vanished quickly, as Las Vegas’ offense woke up, scoring four runs in the sixth. The Isotopes had their chance to respond in the seventh with the bases loaded, but could not find that important hit. Albuquerque finished with five hits, and seven players left on base.
Game two was another rough day at the office for Albuquerque’s defense as they lost 12-8. They had the upper hand early, and tied it at five runs entering the sixth, but their defense had no answers late, allowing seven runs in the final innings. Shortstop Ryan Ritter led the team with 3 hits. The offense did very well, scoring 8 runs on 14 hits, although they had 13 players left on base as well. This loss marked the fourth in a row which made game three urgent as the Isotopes attempted to stay above .500.
Game three was a heartbreaker for Albuquerque as they lost 10-7 in extra innings. It was a similar start to game one, as they landed the first punch with Las Vegas later taking the lead. Fortunes looked like they were going to change as Ritter hit a single in the bottom of the eighth to allow teammates Sterlin Thompson and Nic Kent to give Albuquerque a 6-4 lead, but they were unable to close things out, tying the game after regulation. At the bottom of the 10th, bases were loaded down one, yet only one player found home, prolonging their defeat.
The Isotopes also continued to find trouble getting scores, making 11 hits with 14 players left on base.
Albuquerque could not catch a break, making game four feel like deja vu. The Isotopes had a 3-2 lead entering the ninth, but ended up breaking down to lose 6-4.
Lightning struck in game five as a new-look Isotopes team dominated Las Vegas 14-4 to take their first win of the series. Albuquerque pounced early with three runs and did not ease up. Thompson had the play of the night with a three-run home run in the bottom of the fourth to give the team a 10-0 lead. It was a picture-perfect debut for some limited edition Mariachis jerseys despite lightning and light rain conditions. Catcher Bryant Betancourt led the way with 3 hits, 2 runs and 4 runs batted in.
Game five turned out to be an outlier, as Albuquerque lost on Sesame Street Day 10-8 in a game six thriller. The Isotopes gained their first lead of the game in the fourth after early jabs from both squads, following home runs from Connor Capel and Thompson which gave them a 7-5 lead. Thompson led the team with 3 hits, a run and 2 runs batted in. The lead faded to black as Las Vegas tied things up in the fifth before taking the lead.
The Albuquerque Isotopes will look to get back on track away against the Round Rock Express, though they currently are down 1-0 in that series, which will continue tonight at 5:45.
Alex Joe is a freelance videographer for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on X @DailyLobo
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