Fresno loses Monday's series-opener at ABQ

Albuquerque, NM (Monday, July 15) - The Fresno Grizzlies (48-47) slipped to 2-3 on their current 11-game road trip, dropping a 6-2 decision to the Albuquerque Isotopes (41-54) in the clubs' series opener on Monday night. This is the first of two four-game series in the Duke City this season for Fresno.
Elliot Soto (6, third inning) and Roberto Ramos (20, pinch-hit in seventh) each clubbed solo homers for the Isotopes. A Sam Hilliard RBI triple followed Soto's homer in the third and Pat Valaika's RBI single capped a three-run inning for the home side in their biggest frame. Drew Butera opened the scoring with an RBI single in the bottom of the second.
Andrew Stevenson's solo homer in the fifth inning and Alec Keller's sac fly in the sixth resulted in the Grizzlies' only runs, as Fresno dropped to 24-22 on the road this season. The Grizzlies have alternated loss-win in seven consecutive ballgames and are 12-12 in 2019 in series openers (6-6 home, 6-6 road).
Top Performers: Fresno Grizzlies (Washington Nationals)
• RF Alec Keller (2-3, RBI)
• 1B José Marmolejos & LF Chuck Taylor (2-4, 2B)
• LHP Taylor Guilbeau (1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K)
Top Performers: Albuquerque Isotopes (Colorado Rockies)
• SS Elliot Soto (2-4, solo HR)
• 3B Josh Fuentes (2-4, R)
• PH Roberto Ramos (solo HR)
 
ON THAT FRES-NOTE:  Despite Monday's defeat, the Grizzlies are 90-59 all-time against "Albuquerque"…during Fresno's first three Triple-A seasons (1998-2000), the Grizzlies went 12-8 against the Albuquerque Dukes before a two-season professional baseball hiatus in the city (2001-2002). The relocated Calgary Cannons franchise began play at brand new Isotopes Park in 2003, and has just a 51-78 record against Fresno since.