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Isotopes Rout Reno 16-5 In Series Opener

June 30, 2015

NEED TO KNOW: The Albuquerque Isotopes (34-45) pounded out 21 hits, including nine extra-base knocks, in a 16-5 series-opening win against the Reno Aces (37-42) Tuesday night at Isotopes Park. Angelys Nina picked up four hits, including three doubles, and Matt McBride continued his solid work with two doubles, a homer and five RBI.

THE TURNING POINT: Two of Reno's first three batters of the game scored, but it would be the only time the Aces held a lead all night. Matt McBride doubled in a pair of runs in the home half of the first to tie it before a second-inning Cristhian Adames double gave Albuquerque a 4-2 lead. The Isotopes added four more runs in the third behind another pair of doubles from McBride and Adames. Albuquerque put the game away in the fifth when the Topes rattled off seven straight hits to begin the inning, highlighted by home runs from Roger Bernadina and McBride. The Aces picked up a run in the seventh and two in the ninth to slightly cut into the deficit.

DOUBLES MACHINE: Matt McBride roped two more doubles and a home run en route to his 3-for-5 evening. He drove in five runs and scored two more. McBride now has 26 doubles through 79 games on the year, which puts him on pace for an Isotopes record 47 two-baggers. The current Topes doubles record is 41 by John Lindsey in 2010. McBride also extended his hitting streak to 14 games, and he is batting .411 (23-for-56) with 15 runs scored, nine doubles, three homers and 14 RBI during that stretch.

SHAKE THAT LAFFEY TAFFY: Left-handed pitcher Aaron Laffey started Tuesday night's game in place of fellow lefty Yohan Flande, who was recalled by the Colorado Rockies prior to the game. After allowing two runs to the first three batters of the game, Laffey settled in for one his best outings of the season. He finished with five innings pitched, four hits, two runs, one walk and a season-high seven strikeouts. Laffey also retired 14 of the last 15 batters he faced.

SLAMMIN' NINA: Second baseman Angelys Nina turned in a season-high four hits with his 4-for-5 performance. He had three doubles and a single to go along with three runs scored and two RBI. Nina extended his hitting streak to nine games, during which he is batting .467 (14-for-30) with eight runs scored, four doubles, four RBI and five walks.

DOUBLES AND RIBBIES: In addition to Matt McBride and Angelys Nina, Albuquerque had five other players with multi-hit performances. Cristhian Adames went 3-for-6 with a run scored, three RBI and two doubles. Tim Smalling posted a 3-for-5 night that included two runs scored and an RBI. Drew Stubbs was 2-for-5 with two runs scored and an RBI. Kyle Parker also picked up two hits in four at-bats with a run scored. Roger Bernadina capped the hit parade with his 3-for-5 game with three runs scored, three RBI and a homer.

ON DECK: The Isotopes and Aces will play game two of their four-game series Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. Right-hander Jair Jurrjens (1-1, 3.81 ERA) is scheduled to take the hill for Albuquerque, while Reno is slated to go with former Colorado Rockies farmhand, right-hander Jhoulys Chacin (1-1, 1.76 ERA).

IN THE HOLE: After this brief four-game homestand, the Isotopes will hit the road for a nine-game road trip before the All-Star Break. Albuquerque will travel to Las Vegas for four games on July 4-7 before a five-game series on July 8-12 at El Paso. The Topes return home on July 16 to face the Las Vegas 51s after the Triple-A All-Star Break.