Isotopes Rally Comes Up Short In 9-5 Loss

NEED TO KNOW: The Albuquerque Isotopes (32-43) mounted a late rally, scoring five runs in the final four innings, but the Salt Lake Bees (30-45) held on for a 9-5 victory in the series opener Friday night at Smith's Ballpark in Salt Lake City, UT.

THE TURNING POINT: The Isotopes were behind early after the Bees scored four runs in the first, but it wasn't all on Topes starter Jair Jurrjens. Two of Salt Lake's four first-inning hits could have been outs but were lost in the treacherous late afternoon sun. The Bees added a run in the fourth and two more in the fifth before Albuquerque could get on the board. Cristhian Adames blasted a solo home run in the sixth to score the first Isotopes run, and he added an RBI single in the seventh. Roger Bernadina pulled Albuquerque closer with a three-run bomb in the eighth, but Salt Lake responded with a run in the eighth to put a nail in the Topes comeback hopes.

ATTA BOY ADAMES: Shortstop Cristhian Adames turned in a stellar 3-for-5 performance with a double, a homer, a run scored and two RBI. It is his 20th multi-hit performance, which ties for second-most on the Isotopes. During Adames' last six games, he is batting .360 (9-for-25) with four runs scored, a double, a homer, three RBI and two walks. He also has hits in six of his last seven games and eight of his last 10.

MOVING LIKE BERNIE: Outfielder Roger Bernadina blasted a three-run home run in the eighth inning and finished the game 2-for-4 with two runs scored and three RBI. He also tripled in the seventh and scored on Cristhian Adames' RBI single. The long ball was Bernadina's fourth of the season.

ON DECK: The Isotopes and Bees will play game two of their four-game series Saturday night at 7:05. Contrary to some reports, right-handed pitcher Jon Gray (3-5, 4.50 ERA) is still scheduled to start for Albuquerque, while Salt Lake is slated to send left-hander Adam Wilk (2-5, 5.14 ERA).

IN THE HOLE: After their seven-game road trip the Isotopes will return to The Lab for a four-game series against the Reno Aces beginning June 30. During the homestand, Albuquerque will host a July 3 post-game fireworks show with live music accompaniment by the Albuquerque Youth Symphony Program.