Isotopes Challenge Red-Hot River Cats, Come Up Short 5-4

NEED TO KNOW: Coming into the Tuesday night's game, the Sacramento River Cats (32-20) had won 16 of their last 19 contests. The Albuquerque Isotopes (23-28) gave them all they could handle but came up just short as the River Cats prevailed 5-4 at Raley Field in Sacramento, CA.

THE TURNING POINT: Trailing 5-3 in the top of the sixth inning, the Isotopes loaded the bases with no outs courtesy of a pair of singles from Miguel Rojas and Clint Robinson sandwiched around a walk by Joc Pederson. Jamie Romak drove in Rojas with a sacrifice fly to cut into Sacramento's lead 5-4, but a groundout and a strikeout ended the inning before Albuquerque could plate another run.

GET LIDDI WITH IT: Recently acquired infielder Alex Liddi doubled home C. Robinson and Romak in the second inning and later scored on a single from Griff Erickson to give the Isotopes an early 3-0 lead. Since joining the Topes on May 21, Liddi has hits in four of his five games played, including two runs, two doubles and two RBI. He is also 2-for-2 as a pinch-hitter.

PENNING THEM UP: The Isotopes bullpen tossed four scoreless innings in relief of starter Red Patterson. Right-handers Josh Judy and Yimi Garcia teamed up with lefty Colt Hynes to allow just two hits and no walks, while striking out three over those four frames.

ON DECK: The Isotopes and River Cats will play game two of their four game series Wednesday night at 8:05 p.m. MT. Right-handed pitcher Jeff Bennett (1-1, 0.00 ERA) will take the ball for Albuquerque, while Sacramento will counter with righty Marcus Walden (2-1, 5.20 ERA).

IN THE HOLE: Following the four-game series in Sacramento, the Isotopes will return home to face the Salt Lake Bees on May 31 through June 3.