Albuquerque Wins Series Opener 6-4

NEED TO KNOW: Left-handed pitcher John Lannan kept the Sacramento River Cats (19-18) in check for seven strong innings as the Albuquerque Isotopes (15-22) claimed a 6-4 win in the four-game series opener at Isotopes Park Saturday night.

THE TURNING POINT: Each team posted a run in the first, but it wasn't until the fourth inning that the Isotopes were able to get a jump on the River Cats. Ben Paulsen led off the inning with a single before a Matt McBride double put runners on second and third. Dustin Garneau's sacrifice fly scored Paulsen to put Albuquerque ahead 2-1, but the Topes weren't done there. Kyle Parker doubled in McBride and scored on a Jose Rivera single to give the Isotopes a 4-1 lead. Albuquerque tacked on one more in the fifth with Roger Bernadina's solo home run. Sacramento finally responded we three in the seventh, but it was too little, too late as the Topes added another in the eighth for good measure en route to their 6-4 victory.

FANNIN' LANNAN: John Lannan turned in seven superb innings Saturday, allowing just a single earned run. After surrendering a leadoff double in the first that came around to score, the left-hander settled in for five straight scoreless innings, but he fell victim to three unearned runs in the seventh. Lannan's final line included 7.0 innings pitched, nine hits, four runs, one earned run, no walks and two strikeouts. It was his fourth quality start out of five starts on the season.

MR. McBRIDE: The hottest Isotopes hitter of late has been first baseman Matt McBride, and he continued his good work on Saturday. He turned in a 3-for-4 night with a double and two runs scored and now has four straight multi-hit games. Since Wednesday, McBride is 10-for-16 with six runs scored, two doubles, two home runs, five RBI and a walk. He also has hits in eight of his last nine games.

MOVING LIKE BERNIE: Center fielder Roger Bernadina proved to be the catalyst for the Isotopes offense Saturday night. After walking to lead off the game, he advanced to second on a passed ball and scored on back-to-back groundouts. Bernadina also mashed his first home run of the season, a solo shot in the fifth inning. He finished the night 2-for-4 with a homer, two runs scored and an RBI.

HATS ON SUNDAY: Get to the ballpark early for Sunday afternoon's 1:35 p.m. first pitch. The first 2,500 fans 18 & older through the gates at Isotopes Park will receive a free hat courtesy of Calibers.

ON DECK: The Isotopes and River Cats will play game two of their four-game series Sunday afternoon at 1:35 p.m. Right-hander David Hale (0-2, 8.20) is scheduled to start for Albuquerque, while Sacramento will go with right Austin Fleet (1-3, 7.59).

IN THE HOLE: Following this eight-game homestand against Fresno and Sacramento, the Isotopes will hit the road, visiting the Round Rock Express and New Orleans Zephyrs. This homestand wraps up a stretch of 16 out of 20 games at home.