Early Homers Not Enough as Cats Slowed by Isotopes

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Hunter Bishop and Marco Luciano both left the yard with solo shots in the third and fourth innings to take the early lead over the Albuquerque Isotopes, but Albuquerque used a five-run fifth to snatch momentum and an eventual 8-4 win on Thursday night.

The Bishop blast in the third broke the scoreless tie and gave the River Cats (17-13/53-52) their first and what would be only lead of the contest, spinning a ball out to the opposite field in left and traveling 401 feet. Luciano followed soon after in the fourth, hammering a full count pitch a total of 416 feet over the wall in left field for his 20th homer of the season, which leads all Minor Leaguers in the San Francisco organization.

Sacramento made it 3-0 in the top of the fifth thanks to Thomas Gavello, as his triple with one out in the inning allowed him to score on an RBI groundout by Bishop. However, the Isotopes (12-17/43-60) exploded for five in the fifth on four hits, doing much of their damage with the long ball.

The first came on a solo shot by Drew Romo when he kicked off the frame with a big fly out down the left field line against new pitcher Raymond Burgos (1-2). Singles from Braiden Ward and Aaron Schunk resulted in a run, with Schunk collecting the RBI on his rip into right field. Late in the frame the home run struck again, as Keston Hiura turned around a 2-2 pitch for a three-run blast to center field that gave Albuquerque the lead they would never relinquish.

While Sacramento scored one in the top of the sixth on an Austin Barnes single through the right side, but that was all they could manage as the Isotopes produced one more run in the sixth and two in the seventh which brought the game to its 8-4 final.

Antonio Jimenez earned the start on short notice for the River Cats, striking out eight over four innings with no runs and one hit allowed. His eight strikeouts were his most since he also struck out eight on June 11, 2022, while his four innings pitched were his most since he also tossed four on May 3, 2023.

Burgos suffered the loss after allowing six runs (five earned) on six hits in just two innings of work. Only Ryan Watson tossed a run-free relief outing, striking out one in the bottom of the eighth.

Luciano closed his night 3-for-3, with all three hits going for extra bases as he recorded a pair of doubles in addition to his solo homer. Both Bishop and Gavello were 2-for-5 with a run scored, though the former also drove in two and hit a homer. Meanwhile, Wade Meckler was 2-for-3 with a walk.

This series continues with game four on Friday at 5:35 p.m. (PT) from Rio Grand Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park.