The Albuquerque Isotopes returned home red hot last week, as they swept the Chihuahuas in El Paso during their six-game series at the end of July. They looked to build on their streak as they challenged the Sugar Land Space Cowboys, and while the Isotopes were tested throughout this series, they came out on top, winning four of six games, including the last two.
The Isotopes had their six-game win streak snapped when they lost the opening game of the series 4-3 in a close Game one. After an early deficit, they set themselves up in striking distance as third baseman Vimael Machin nailed a two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning. The score was 4-3 with only one out, looking like a comeback was in the making. Then, the momentum came to a halt, as a double play by the Space Cowboys ended the inning. Albuquerque finished with seven hits and six players left on base.
Game two was a solid response for Albuquerque as they tied up the series with a tasty 7-6 victory on Nacho Average Wednesday. They answered the bell early with a home run from Zac Veen in the first and controlled the game from there. Sugar Land managed to tie the game in the eighth, but Isotopes shortstop Ryan Ritter would get the last laugh and score the go-ahead run to seal the game, denying the Space Cowboys any runs in the ninth inning.
Game two also saw the debut of a new face in second baseman Connor Norby, who made a very good first impression with a hit and two runs, including a solo home run in the bottom of the third inning.
“I've known Connor for a while now because my roommate in college got drafted with him,” Ritter said. “I've always known him and it was great to be able to play with him and he obviously had a great first impression today.”
Game three kicked off in the third inning, when the Isotopes left Sugar Land with their third no-score inning and brought the heat with a home run from Norby. The Isotopes continued to knock it out of the park with a second home run from Charlie Condon, after which Ritter hit a line drive to center field, giving Chad Stevens the opportunity to score a second run in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Starting off the fifth inning, Sugar Land continued to be unable to break through the Isotopes' defense. The Isotopes were still hot on Sugar Land's heels as Sugar Land's catcher Matt Thaiss threw an error, which gave Veen an opportunity to steal second and then run home, scoring a fourth run for the Isotopes. Sugar Land was looking for a comeback in the top of the eighth inning, scoring a total of 3 runs, but the Isotopes weren't going to make it that easy, as Drew Avens hit a sharp line drive to center field, giving Braxton Fulford the chance to score. Game three closed with the Isotopes walking away victorious.
Game four was an emotional roller coaster for Albuquerque, who surrendered an early lead to lose 18-10 in extra innings. They started off the game well, leading by four after two innings, starting with a scoring run by Norby after an error thrown by Thaiss. Sugar Land’s offense started to break through in the bottom of the third with three runs to trim the lead to one. Veen looked to calm the storm with a base hit in the bottom of the sixth, but was ejected after contesting an out call on a slide to second base.
Two more ejections followed in a wild seventh inning: Pitcher Blas Castaño was ejected after hitting Sugar Land Left fielder Zach Dezenzo with a pitch, prompting the benches to clear; Isotopes manager Pedro Lopez was also ejected after arguing with the umpires. The Space Cowboys captured the lead to go up 7-4 , but Albuquerque still had life left as they quickly tied the game up with a chance to retake the lead. Avans was up to bat with just one out and Ritter on third base, however a double play stopped the momentum.
The game went to extras, where the dam broke for the Isotopes, as they allowed 11 runs in the tenth. Nine pitchers suited up for Albuquerque, including catcher Jose Cordova. Emotion and defense failed as the series was knotted up 2-2.
The Isotopes stormed back with a vengeance in Game five with a 10-1 victory on Native American Heritage Night at Isotopes Park. Veen got the party going with two home runs, and the Isotopes led by six after two innings. Veen had an exceptional game with 5 hits, 4 runs — including 3 home runs — and 7 RBI. As big as Veen and the offense was, the biggest difference here, as opposed to game four, was defense and pitching. Sugar Land was not able to score until the eighth inning, and by then it was lights out. Albuquerque had as many strikeouts as runs at 10. They regained control with their third win of the series heading into Game six.
Going into the sixth and final game of the series against Sugar Land, Condon started the game with a single line drive to right field, giving Adael Amador an opportunity to score along with Norby. Stevens grounded a double play to shortstop to give Veen a chance to score the third run of the inning. Going into the top of the second inning, Sugar Land came out swinging with a 459-foot home run from CJ Alexander, their first run of the game.
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Sugar Land continued to try to take the lead from the Isotopes with a second run scored by Trenton Brooks, walking away with a total of 4 runs in the second to take the lead away from the Isotopes. The Space Cowboys started the fifth inning with a home run from Cavan Biggio, though the Isotopes' Cordova answered with a double on a sharp line drive to center field to drive in Ritter. Avans hit a sacrifice fly to right field, opening up home base for Cordova to score. In the top of the sixth, both teams were tied and fighting to break away with the lead. The Isotopes took the lead with 3 runs in the bottom of the sixth with two singles. Going into the ninth inning, Sugar Land still looked to break ahead and walk away with the win, but the Isotopes didn't let them split the series.
“It feels good. Feels like the week went slow and fast at the same time. That was a really good team over there, and I'm just really glad that I could help the team win. I felt like it was a good series for everybody,” Veen said after the game.
Veen had another solid outing with two hits and two runs, along with earning his second straight Pacific Coast League Player of the Week title.
Despite some hiccups, Albuquerque is boiling hot, having won 10 of their last 12 contests and will head to Oklahoma City this week for a series against the Comets.
Elizabeth Bolke is a freelance reporter at the daily lobo. She can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on X at @DailyLobo
Alex Joe is a freelance videographer for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on X @DailyLobo
