Flande Shines As Isotopes Win 9-1

NEED TO KNOW: Left-handed pitcher Yohan Flande turned in his best start since joining the Albuquerque Isotopes (32-42) and drove in a pair of runs as the Isotopes beat the El Paso Chihuahuas' (37-36) 9-1 in the series finale Thursday night at Southwest University Park.

THE TURNING POINT: El Paso wasted no time putting a run on the board in the first inning, but Albuquerque quickly responded with a three-spot in the second. Dustin Garneau drove in Matt McBride after his leadoff double, but the big knock came from pitcher Yohan Flande, who doubled in Tim Smalling and Brock Bond to give the Isotopes a 3-1 lead. Albuquerque never looked back, adding a pair of runs in the fourth inning and another in the fifth. Drew Stubbs smashed a two-run homer in the seventh, and Smalling added an RBI single in the ninth for good measure as the Isotopes cruised to a 9-1 victory.

DO IT ALL FLANDE: Left-handed pitcher Yohan Flande did more than just turn in his best start since joining the Isotopes, tossing six innings of one-run ball. Flande also went 1-for-3 at the plate with a two-RBI double in the second inning. He also plated a run in the fourth when he reached via a fielding error. Flande's final line from the mound including six innings pitched, seven hits, one earned run, two walks and a strikeout.

GOING, GOING, GARNEAU: Catcher Dustin Garneau posted a 2-for-3 game with two RBI and two walks. He also extended his hitting streak to seven games. Over his last 14 games, the backstop is now batting .463 (19-for-41) with four homers and 16 RBI.

MORE MCBRIDE: First baseman Matt McBride roped a pair of doubles Thursday night and finished the game 2-for-5 with two runs scored. During his last 46 games, McBride is batting .380 (71-for-187) with 41 runs scored, 17 doubles, a triple, nine homers, 25 RBI and seven walks.

OTHER NOTABLES: Outfielder Drew Stubbs turned in a 1-for-3 outing with his second home run with Albuquerque, a two-run shot in the seventh inning. The long ball came off Jordan Hershiser, son of Albuquerque Professional Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Orel Hershiser. Tim Smalling also posted a 2-for-5 night with two runs scored and an RBI.

ON DECK: The Isotopes continue their seven-game road trip to Salt Lake for a 7:05 p.m. first pitch Friday night. Albuquerque is scheduled to send right-handed pitcher Jair Jurrjens (1-0, 2.31 ERA) to the mound, while the Bees are slated to go with right-hander Drew Rucinski (2-4, 5.76 ERA).

IN THE HOLE: After their seven-game road trip the Isotopes will return to The Lab for a four-game series against the Reno Aces beginning June 30. During the homestand, Albuquerque will host a July 3 post-game fireworks show with live music accompaniment by the Albuquerque Youth Symphony Program.