Isotopes Shutout Dodgers 1-0

On a night where pitching dominated, the Isotopes (59-66) outlasted the Dodgers, shutting out Oklahoma City tonight 1-0 from Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. The victory pulls the Isotopes to within 6.5 games of first place El Paso, with the two clubs meeting nine more times in 2016. Albuquerque was 14 games out of first place on August 1.

It was a scoreless contest through the first six innings, with the Isotopes finally breaking through in the top of the seventh inning. Shortstop Pat Valaikabrought home pinch-hitter Brandon Barnes on a sharp single to right field to give Albuquerque a 1-0 lead. The advantage would hold through the end of the ball game.  

Isotopes pitcher Matt Flemer made the spot start for Albuquerque after Christian Bergman's promotion to the Rockies earlier in the week. Flemer tossed five shutout innings, allowing just three hits. The right-hander walked three and struck out three.

Isotopes relievers Nelson Gonzalez, Patrick McCoy, Justin Miller each recorded scoreless innings out of the bullpen for Albuquerque with Simon Castro picking up his seventh save of the season after shutting down the Dodgers in the ninth.

The Isotopes finished their eight-game road trip 6-2 and have now won 11 of their last 13 contests.

The Isotopes will now return home to Isotopes Park to open up their final homestand of the 2016 season. They welcome the Fresno Grizzlies (Triple-A Astros) to Isotopes Park first for a four-game set, followed by the first place El Paso Chihuahuas (Triple-A Padres) for a five-game series. First pitch from Isotopes Park tomorrow is set for 7:05 p.m.