Pederson Smashes 26th Home Run But Isotopes Fall To 51s 8-3

NEED TO KNOW: Outfielder Joc Pederson mashed his 26th home run of the season, but the Albuquerque Isotopes (55-66) couldn't overcome a slow start in their 8-3 loss to the Las Vegas 51s (68-54) Saturday night at Cashman Field in Las Vegas, NV.

DECIDING MOMENT: Las Vegas claimed just a 1-0 lead through the first three innings, but a pair of runs in the fourth inning, highlighted by a two-run home run from the 51s Kevin Plawecki, widened Las Vegas' lead. The Isotopes responded in the sixth inning with two runs courtesy of a Jamie Romak double, but the 51s would again answer with a three-spot of their own in the home half to make it 6-2. Joc Pederson tried to start a rally with his solo home run in the eighth, but Las Vegas erased it with a two-run bottom of the eighth.

30-30 VISION: Joc Pederson hit his 26th home run of the season in the eighth inning and second in the last two days. It was his only base knock in his 1-for-4 showing Saturday night. With 26 steals on the year, Pederson is just four homers and four stolen bases away from becoming the first player in the Pacific Coast League's "30-30 Club" since 1934. There are 22 games remaining.

DELIVERY BY FEDEX: Tim Federowicz continued his tear as of late with a 2-for-4 outing along with a run scored. In his last 13 starts, Federowicz has eight multi-hit games, including nine doubles and a homer. On the road this season, he is hitting .372 (48-for-129) with 20 runs scored, 13 doubles, six homers and 26 RBI in 33 games. At home, Federowicz is hitting just .263 with 15 runs scored, five doubles, five homers and 15 RBI in 28 games.

C. ROB HIT: Clint Robinson doubled in the sixth inning and finished the game 2-for-4 with a run scored. In his last six starts, Robinson is now batting .400 (10-for-25) with five runs scored, two doubles, two triples, one home run and three RBI.

RAKING ROMAK: Jamie Romak doubled in a pair of runs in the sixth inning and finished the game 1-for-3 with two RBI, a double and a walk. Since the Dodgers outright­ed him to the Minors in late June, Romak has 37 RBI in 39 games to along with eight homers, one triple and 11 doubles.

ON DECK: The Isotopes and 51s will play game four of their five-game series Sunday afternoon at 1:05 p.m. MT. Right-hander Matt Magill (7-5, 5.09 ERA) will get the ball for Albuquerque, while Las Vegas is slated to go with righty Logan Verrett (9-4, 4.57 ERA).

IN THE HOLE: Following their five-game series in Las Vegas, the Isotopes return home on for an eight-game homestand beginning with a four-game series against the Memphis Redbirds on Aug. 12 at. 6:35 p.m.