The Albuquerque Isotopes started a series on Tuesday, Aug. 27 against the Reno Aces. The 6-2 win followed a game in which the stadium held its breath.
Left fielder Jimmy Herron had a home run in the bottom of the fifth inning. Later in the seventh inning, first baseman Elehuris Montero — who was named Pacific Coast League player of the month for July — doubled. Herron then sent Montero home with a line drive single to put the Isotopes up 2-0.
Later in the game, home game fans couldn’t rest as easily. In the top of the eighth inning, the Aces tied up the game.
Bryson Brigman hit a double for the Aces, then Jorge Barrosa earned a walk. Shortstop Blaze Alexander sent them both home with a double to make it 2-2.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, the Isotopes came back to bat. Right fielder Greg Jones singled, then Willie MacIver walked, for Montero to send both of them home with a double to put the Isotopes back in front. Later in the inning, Herron had his third hit of the game to push the Isotopes to the lead, and after taking care of business in the ninth inning, the team won 6-2.
After the game, Isotopes manager Pedro Lopez said the team’s offense is what keeps them in these games.
“Going into the eighth inning it looked like we were going to win two to nothing, but unfortunately we made some errors … Fortunately our offense was able to come back and pull out the win,” Lopez said.
Lopez went on to mention the bullpen’s improvement over the course of the season.
Outfielder Zac Veen started the season in the rookie league but worked his way through the farm system this summer and was recently assigned to the Isotopes, according to Minor League Baseball. He played centerfield — not his natural position — for the Isotopes and had five hits in his first seven Triple-A games.
“Veen had just been called up from the lower levels; that was his first time playing center field and I think he did a good job,” Lopez said.
The Isotopes went on to win the series 4-3 over the course of the week. After traveling to Tacoma, Washington, the Isotopes have their last home series against the Las Vegas Aviators starting on Sept. 10.
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Shin Thant Hlaing is a freelance reporter for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on X @dailylobo
