Briceño’s Home Run Sends Isotopes to Victory

Isotopes 4 (11-23), Bees 3 (14-18), – Smith’s Ballpark | Salt Lake City, Utah

AT THE DISH:With the ball game knotted up at 3-3 in the eighth inning, Jose Briceño came through for the Isotopes with a solo home run, enough for the club to hang on and take game four of the six-game series. Briceño led the way the whole game for the Isotopes, finishing the contest 3-for-4, adding two doubles and scoring two runs … Rio Ruiz also contributed three hits, finishing the day 3-for-5 with a double and an RBI.

TOEING THE RUBBER: Albuquerque starter Ryan Castellani allowed two earned runs over 4.2 innings on the hill. The righty struck out seven, walked two and allowed three hits. He took a no-decision ... Jake Bird earned his first Triple-A win, tossing 2.1 scoreless innings in relief ... Chad Smith also recorded a scoreless frame, as did Justin Lawrence, the latter of whom picked up his fifth save of the season.

TOPES TIDBITS: The Isotopes and their opponents (Las Vegas and Salt Lake) have combined for 31 home runs in the last six contests, an average of 5.2 per game … Rio Ruiz is 8-for-17 with three doubles and two home runs since moving into the leadoff spot of the lineup Thursday.

ON DECK:Albuquerque and Salt Lake continue their six-game series on Monday evening when southpaw Ian Clarkin (0-3, 9.64) takes the hill for the Isotopes. First pitch from Smith’s Ballpark is set for 6:35 p.m.