Isotopes Fall To Grizzlies 5-0

NEED TO KNOW: The Albuquerque Isotopes (11-9) couldn't find their rhythm offensively against the Fresno Grizzlies (7-14) Thursday night at Chukckansi Park and fell 5-0 in the opening game of a four-game series.

THE TURNING POINT: Fresno's Gary Brown singled to leadoff the bottom of the first inning and later scored on a two-out base knock by Tyler Colvin. It was all the Grizzlies would need, but they added a pair of runs in both the third and sixth to claim a 5-0 victory.

KING OF THE HILL: The typically efficient Red Patterson (1-1, 4.15 ERA) walked three batters in 5.1 innings after having walked just three in three appearances (16.1 IP) all season coming into the game. Mike Kickham (1-3, 3.00 ERA) picked up the win for the Grizzlies, tossing eight innings and allowing only five hits on the night. He also walked one and struck out five.

HAPPENINGS AT THE PLATE: Chone Figgins joined the Isotopes before Thursday night's game from the Los Angeles Dodgers and batted leadoff. He singled to right field in his first at-bat. Joc Pederson was 0-for-4 on the evening, marking only the second time all season he did not reach base. The only other game was the first game of the season against the Tacoma Rainiers on April 4.

ON DECK: The Isotopes and Grizzlies will play game two of their four-game set Friday at 8:05 p.m. MT. The 'Topes are slated to send right-hander Matt Magill (1-1, 6.62 ERA) to the hill and Fresno will counter with a righty of their own, Mitch Lively (1-1, 8.47 ERA).

IN THE HOLE: Following the four-game series, Albuquerque will return to Isotopes Park for a season-longest 12-game homestand beginning April 28 against the Salt Lake Bees. The homestand will feature a host of promotions including a pair of giveaways, two Fireworks Nights, two School Day Matinees, two Little League Nights and a 50¢ Hot Dog Night.