Ely Wins PCL Pitching Triple Crown

Albuquerque Ace John Ely has officially captured the PCL's Triple Crown title after leading the league in wins (14), ERA (3.20) and strikeouts (165). Ely is just the third pitcher in PCL history to claim the coveted award, joining Donne Wall of the Tucson Torros in 1995 and Dick Barett of the Seattle Rainiers in 1942.

Ely's season was even more dominant than Wall's Triple Crown year in 1995, as Ely totaled 46 more strikeouts than Wall, as well as posting an ERA that ranked 0.10 lower than the Torro's starter.

This season, the 'Topes' ace collected five more punchouts than his closest competitor in Shelby Miller, and his ERA was far superior to Yusmeiro Petit of Fresno, who finished with a 3.46 mark.

Along with his Triple Crown Categories, the Isotopes right-hander also ranked among league leaders in fewest baserunners-per-nine-innings (1st - 10.14), opponents batting average (2nd - .238), innings pitched (2nd - 168.2), lowest walk-per-nine-innings (2nd - 1.92) and most strikeouts-per-nine-innings (4th - 8.80).

From July 23 to August 18, Ely became the first pitcher in franchise history to win six consecutive starts, posting a 1.96 ERA in that span. Of his 27 total starts this season, 18 have been quality starts, including a stretch of six straight quality appearances from April 30 to May 26. In the first game of a doubleheader vs. Tucson on August 8, Ely became the first and so far only Isotope this year to author a complete game shutout when he tossed 7.0 scoreless innings, allowing just six hits and a walk while fanning eight in a 4-0 Isotopes win. On May 10, the right-hander set a career-high with 11 strikeouts, shattering his previous high of nine.

It was a year of accolades for Ely, 26, who was selected to the PCL All-Star Team, the All-PCL Team and named the league's Pitcher of the Year.