Isotopes Remain Hot, Blast Bees 9-2 in Series Opener

Albuquerque, NM – The four-day all-star break did very little to cool off the Albuquerque Isotopes. Playing for the first time since Sunday, the home team plated three runs in each of the first two innings and coasted to a 9-2 victory over the Salt Lake Bees on a scorching Friday evening in the Duke City.

Elehuris Montero led the way offensively in his first game since being optioned from the parent Rockies, going 3-for-4 with a double, homer and four RBI.

Topes Scope: - It was 102 degrees at first pitch, tied for the second-warmest game time temperature in Isotopes Park history. The warmest was 103 on June 27, 2018 vs. Sacramento; it was also 102 on June 19, 2016 vs. Reno.

- Tonight marked the eighth time in the last 12 games Isotopes pitching limited their opponent to three or fewer runs. The staff has compiled a 3.57 ERA during the stretch. Additionally, it was the 10th time they allowed two or fewer runs in a contest this season.

- Salt Lake compiled only five hits, the eighth time Albuquerque has allowed five or fewer this season, and the third time in the last four contests.

- Over the last four games, Isotopes starting pitchers have posted a 2.76 ERA (5 ER/17.1 IP). Meanwhile, in 13 contests during the second half of the season, Albuquerque’s bullpen has compiled a 2.47 ERA (15 ER/54.2 IP).

- Starting pitcher Peter Lambert allowed three hits and two runs in 4.1 innings of work. It was his longest outing since Sept. 14, 2019, when he worked 5.0 frames in a start for the Rockies vs. San Diego. 84 pitches were the most for Lambert since throwing 88 on Aug. 28, 2019 vs. Boston.

- Chance Adams continued his stout work out of the Isotopes bullpen. He worked a scoreless ninth inning, his ninth consecutive scoreless outing spanning 9.2 frames.

- Albuquerque’s three-run first inning increased their opening frame total to 82 this season, tops in all of Minor League Baseball, just ahead of tonight’s opponent Salt Lake (80).

- Montero has multiple hits in 15 of 29 games played for the Isotopes this season, including eight three-hit contests. Additionally, tonight marked his 14th multi-RBI game of the year.

- Jimmy Herron tallied his 20th multi-hit game of the campaign. He is 14-for-33 with four doubles, two homers, seven RBI and five stolen bases over his last nine contests, with five multi-hit efforts during the span.

- Montero’s homer in the seventh ended a three-game stretch in which Albuquerque did not go deep. The total drought spanned 39 innings, dating back to Willie MacIver’s slam in the third on July 6 at OKC.

- Cesar Valdez became the 14th opposing starter to complete six or more innings against Albuquerque this season.

- Albuquerque extended their home winning streak to a season-best six games.

- The Isotopes have won 15 of their last 19 home games against Salt Lake, dating back to July 29, 2021.

On Deck: Saturday is Dukes Retro Night, as Albuquerque takes on Salt Lake in the second game of the series. Former Isotopes pitcher John Ely and longtime sportswriter/official scorer Gary Herron will be inducted into the Albuquerque Professional Baseball Hall of Fame during a pregame ceremony. First pitch is set for 6:35 pm. Right-handed pitcher Karl Kauffmann will start for the Dukes against Gulls right-hander Luis Ledo. Postgame Fireworks (weather permitting) are scheduled to take place, presented by New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau.