Three hits from Trent Oeltjen were not enough to propel the Albuquerque Isotopes (61-45), who could only muster one run in a 5-1 defeat to the Round Rock Express (45-61) Friday night at Dell Diamond. The 'Topes finish off their series in Round Rock falling in three out of four contests and finish off their season series with the Express splitting 8-8.

For the third time in four games, the Express found the scoreboard first, jumping on top in the bottom of the first inning when Julio Borbon laced a one-out triple to right and immediately scored on a sacrifice fly by Ryan Spilborghs to give Round Rock a 1-0 edge.

Albuquerque equalized in the top of the second, scoring its only run of the contest. With two down, Tim Federowicz drew a walk and scampered into second on a base hit by Ivan De Jesus Jr. That set up Oeltjen, who roped a single to center, scoring Federowicz and knotting the game at 1-1. Oeltjen alone accounted for half of the Isotopes' six hits on the night and racked up Albuquerque's only extra-base hit, a double in the fifth.

Round Rock grabbed the lead in the bottom of the third, in a rally ignited by a lead-off double from Tommy Mendonca. Greg Miclat then hit a grounder in the direction of second baseman De Jesus, who made an athletic play to get to the ball, but threw it away once it was in his possession, allowing Mendonca to score on the error and give the Express a 2-1 lead.

The two tallies were all that spot-starter Cole St. Clair would yield in what was an extremely solid performance. Making the first start of his professional career and his first since he was a senior at Rice University in 2008, St. Clair (3-1) logged 5.0 strong innings, allowing two runs on five hits while walking one and striking out two in what ended up being a very tough-luck loss.

When St. Clair departed after the fifth, Round Rock blew the game open in the sixth on Isotopes reliever Angel Guzman. Brad Nelson led off the frame with a walk and advanced to third on a double by Matt Kata. After an infield single by Yangervis Solarte loaded the bases, Luis Martinez cleared the bags with a three-run double, extending the Express lead to 5-1.

Five runs proved plenty for Round Rock starter Greg Reynolds (8-6), who got the win after going 7.0 innings, allowing one run on five hits while walking one and fanning two. Reynolds handed the baton to reliever Willie Eyre, who took the Express over the finish line with two scoreless innings to seal a 5-1 win.

The Isotopes will now head to Nashville for five games in four days beginning with a series opener Saturday at Greer Stadium. 'Topes ace John Ely (9-7, 3.34) will be tasked with breaking a two-game Isotopes losing streak against Nashville right-hander Brian Baker (2-3, 4.91) in a 5:35 PM MT start.

Albuquerque returns home next Wednesday for an eight-game homestand that is full of some of the team's most popular promotions, including cowbell night, a live appearance by Birdzerk!, a Dodger Stadium replica giveaway, and a spectacular fireworks show.

Tickets for any Isotopes game may be purchased at the Isotopes Park Box Office, at Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 1-800-745-3000, or on-line at www.abqisotopes.com or www.ticketmaster.com.