Murphy Cycles, Isotopes Hit Five Home Runs in 12-8 Win

The Isotopes (38-53) offense continued its scorching pace on Thursday night at Isotopes Park, blasting five home runs en route to a 12-8 win over the Memphis Redbirds. In a game that had a little bit of everything, catcher Tom Murphy stole the show when he completed the cycle in the eighth inning.

With a home run in the third inning, a double in the fourth, a single in the sixth, and a triple in the eighth, Murphy became the fifth Isotope in club history to hit for the cycle. The last Isotope to accomplish the feat was Robert Andino on August 21, 2008. Murphy is now hitting .750 (18-for-24) in the month of July, with nine extra base hits.

Outfielder David Dahl's red-hot bat also continued to produce as he launched two home runs and registered a triple during the contest. Over his first seven Triple-A games, the 22-year-old is hitting .516 (16-for-31) with four home runs, eight RBI, and is slugging 1.065.

Isotopes All-Star Jordan Patterson also went deep for Albuquerque. The outfielder recorded his fifth home run of the year and second in as many games for the Isotopes.

Pitcher Matt Flemer also notched a home run on the evening for the Isotopes, the first of his professional career. The home run was the first by an Isotopes pitcher since Blake Johnson's inside-the-park home run on April 30, 2013, also against Memphis.

The 12 runs scored by the Isotopes matched a season-high while their 17 hits marked a new season-high for the club. 

On the other side of the ball, Rockies pitcher Chris Rusin made his first rehab start with the Isotopes, exiting the game with a no-decision. The left-hander only lasted 1.2 innings, allowing two runs on five hits, striking out three, and walking one.

The Isotopes and Redbirds are back in action tomorrow at Isotopes Park. Right-hander Eddie Butler (3-0, 4.33) gets the start for Albuquerque while Memphis counters with Jerome Williams (4-2, 4.20). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.