Isotopes Even Series With 5-2 Win Over Rainiers

Tacoma, WA – Timely hitting and dominant pitching were the story for the Albuquerque Isotopes on Wednesday evening. The visitors led from the very first inning on, later added a pair of homers for insurance, and rode the arm of right-handed starterBrandon Gold and four relievers to a 5-2 victory over the Tacoma Rainiers at Cheney Stadium.

Albuquerque (51-61) hopped out in front in similar fashion to yesterday’s series opener. Alan Trejo and Sean Bouchard each singled before Carlos Pérez reached base on a walk, loading the bases for Michael Toglia. The switch-hitter came through with an opposite-field two-run double, after his three-run homer gave the Isotopes an early lead the game before.

In the second, Jimmy Herron led off with a double before scoring on a two-out single by Trejo.

The Rainiers (51-62) stayed in the game on solo homers off Gold, by Jarred Kelenic in the second and Mason McCoy in the third.

One of the most pivotal moments of the contest took place in the fourth. Gold issued a walk and single to open the frame before retiring the next two batters. After another free pass loaded the bases, Gold was able to get Forrest Wall on a shallow flyout, stranding three.

Albuquerque then flexed their muscles in the next two frames, making it 4-2 when Pérez connected on his 25th homer of the season in the fifth. *Bret Boswell *joined the double-digit home run club for 2022 with a solo clout in the sixth, upping the Topes advantage to 5-2.

Gold, the reigning PCL Pitcher of the Week, finished with five innings of four-hit, two-run ball to improve to 6-5 on the campaign.

The bullpen was flawless, as Reagan Todd, JD Hammer, Julian Fernández and Zach Lee combined to pitch four hitless innings with just two baserunners allowed. The relievers faced one batter over the minimum as they sealed the victory with ease.

*Topes Scope: - *Albuquerque broke their six-game road losing streak, which dated back to Aug. 2 at El Paso. It was the second-worst skid away from Isotopes Park this year, they dropped seven in a row on the road from April 7-21.

- Boswell connected on his fourth home run in his last 13 games dating back to July 17, a span of 45 at-bats.

- Trejo has seven two-hit games over his last nine contests. During the stretch, he is batting .412 (14-for-34) with eight RBI.

- Herron racked up his third multi-hit game at the Triple-A level and first since Aug. 2 at El Paso.

- Ryan Vilade is 4-for-37 over his last 10 games.

- Coco Montes is batting .219 in 40 road games, compared to a .338 average in 39 contests at home.

- Gold earned his second win in a row, and has allowed just two runs on six hits in 11 innings during the stretch. It is the second time this season he has picked up the win in consecutive starts (May 13 vs. Sugar Land, May 19 at Salt Lake).

- Todd has worked four consecutive scoreless appearances after allowing at least one run in his previous six outings from July 27-Aug. 6.

- Hammer has compiled a 1.84 ERA (3 ER/14.2 IP) in his last 19 appearances dating back to June 22 at Las Vegas.

- Tonight was the 11th time the Isotopes have allowed two or fewer runs in a game. They are 11-0 in such contests. It was the second time Albuquerque has done so against Tacoma, as they defeated the Rainiers 5-2 at home on April 15.

On Deck: Albuquerque is scheduled to send right-handed pitcher Zach Neal to the mound in the third game of this series Thursday evening against Tacoma left-hander Justus Sheffield. First pitch from Cheney Stadium is set for 8:05 p.m.