The Isotopes returned to Albuquerque for one last homestand for the 2026 season, losing four of six games against the Salt Lake City Bees before heading into the offseason.
The Salt Lake City Bees took the first game 7-5. The Isotopes plated 4 runs in the second inning, highlighted by a 2-run shot from second baseman Chad Stevens to give them a 4-1 lead. It seemed like Albuquerque would cruise to a series-opening victory, but in the 8th inning of this bullpen game, relief pitcher Parker Mushinski allowed four baserunners, and fellow reliever Andrew Baker was unable to put out the fire as he walked in the tying run. The Bees then plated 2 in the 10th inning while the bottom of the Isotopes lineup failed to bring home the ghost runner to lose the game.
The Isotopes dropped game two of the series after the Bees leadoff hitters reached base and came around to score in each of the first four innings and did not stop tacking on for the remaining five innings. Meanwhile, Salt Lake’s starting pitcher Joel Hurtado shut down the Isotopes’ offense, allowing just 1 run over 5 innings of work in a 7-2 Bees win.
Game three was a tough break for the Isotopes, who trailed from the start by two runs and were unable to recover, losing 10-5. Albuquerque hit the ball very well, achieving 12 hits, but struggled to keep up with the Bees. Isotopes right fielder Tyler Freeman led the way with 3 hits and 2 runs batted in.
The Isotopes were able to win game four 3-0 after taking the lead in the 3rd inning when Bees left fielder Cade Marlowe dropped a fly ball with runners on the corners, and extended the lead in the 4th when shortstop Nic Kent brought in a run with a double. The game was called in the 6th inning due to rain to seal the win early.
The Isotopes picked up a dominant 8-2 win in game five. Eight of the nine men in the Isotopes’ lineup made it on-base at least once, with Freeman and second baseman Edouard Julien notching 3 and 4 RBI respectively, but it was Isotopes starting pitcher Jake Brooks who was the true star of the game as he spun a gem. Brooks allowed just one earned run through 7 innings and struck out seven with one walk. Brooks is the first Isotopes pitcher to go at least 7 innings while allowing one run or less since 2024.
“Through adversity and through learning how this level works, I was able to finish strong, and it's good to go into the off-season feeling good,” Brooks said.
The Isotopes were unable to win the season finale as the Bees won a slugfest in the final game. The Isotopes struck first as left fielder Sterlin Thompson hit a 2-run home run in the 1st inning and first baseman Charlie Condon followed with a 3-run bomb in the 3rd to make it 5-0. Unfortunately for Albuquerque, their bullpen was unable to hold onto the lead as Salt Lake City scored a whopping 10 runs in the 4th and 5th innings and coasted through the remaining four innings to close out the game 14-7.
Game six on Sunday, Sept. 20 marked the end of the Isotopes season, as Albuquerque was unable to clinch either of the Pacific Coast League playoff spots. Despite ending the first half of the season above .500 at 39-36 and 6 league games behind the leading Las Vegas Aviators, the Isotopes ended the season 73-77 overall and 14 games behind the Oklahoma City Comets, who would go on to take home the PCL Championship and Triple-A pennant. Albuquerque will be back in action in March 2027.
Marley Herndon is a beat reporter for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on X @Dailylobo
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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