Isotopes Earn 4-3 Victory in Dramatic Finish

Albuquerque, NM – On a Thursday evening in which rain, thunder and lightning came and went throughout the contest, a dramatic conclusion played out on the field.

Albuquerque led Sacramento 4-3 in the top of the ninth inning with two outs and a runner on first base, when Ricardo Genoves lifted a fly ball down the left-field line. It dropped just out of the reach of a sliding Wynton Bernard, who quickly popped up and corralled the ball. Bernard fired to the plate in time to retire Jakson Reetz, who attempted to score the tying run, and the Isotopes held on for the victory.

The home team plated all four of their tallies in the third inning, as Cole Tucker connected on a three-run homer and Jonathan Morales delivered an RBI double.

Topes Scope: - Albuquerque limited their opponent to three or fewer runs for the 25th time this year, and eighth in July. Overall, the Isotopes are 21-4 in such contests.

- Sacramento collected just five hits, the 11th time in 2023 the Isotopes have held the opposition to five or fewer.

- The Isotopes improved to 8-13 in one-run games, and have won their last four.

- Tucker connected on his first homer that went over the fence since June 21 at Reno (inside-the-parker on July 4 at OKC). In total, three of his five blasts this year have been of the three-run variety.

- Tucker also extended his on-base streak to 20 games in a row. He is slashing .333/.457/.507 with eight extra-base hits and 18 walks. during the stretch. Tucker’s streak is the second-longest for an Isotope this year, as Michael Toglia is currently at 25 straight, a run interrupted by a promotion to the Major Leagues.

- Morales was 2-for-3, his 19th multi-hit game of the season and third in his last five contests.

- Brendan Rodgers played his third rehab game with the Isotopes and was 2-for-4 with a double. He is 5-for-12 during his stint.

- Albuquerque starter Josh Rogers made it through five innings for the third time this season and second consecutive outing. It is the first time he has accomplished the feat in back-to-back appearances since doing so in five straight last September with Triple-A Jacksonville.

- Riley Pint worked two hitless innings. He has compiled a 2.31 ERA (3 ER/11.2 IP) with six walks and 15 strikeouts over his last nine appearances dating back to June 29.

- Tommy Doyle recorded his fifth save of the campaign despite a leadoff walk in the ninth. He has not permitted an earned run in 16 of his last 17 appearances between Triple-A and the Majors, spanning 18.1 innings.

- Jakson Reetz and Donovan Walton connected on back-to-back blasts in the fifth inning, the fifth set of consecutive homers surrendered by Albuquerque this season. It was the first time since May 25 vs. Round Rock, when Elier Hernandez and Davis Wendzel went deep.

- This marked the fourth time in Isotopes Park history the tying run was thrown out at the plate to end a contest. Xavier Paul was nabbed trying to score from second on an infield single to conclude a loss to Iowa on April 16, 2009. Two weeks later on May 1 vs. Round Rock, A.J. Ellis attempted to tag and score on a fly ball and was out. On July 19, 2012, the Isotopes defeated Memphis when a relay throw home cut down Matt Adams, who was attempting to score from first base on a double.

- Albuquerque drew two or fewer walks in a game for the 23rd time this season. They only struck out six times, their 12th occurrence with six or less.

On Deck: Friday is Marvel’s Defenders of the Diamond night, and the Isotopes will be wearing special jerseys. First pitch is set for 6:35 pm. Right-handers Jeff Criswell and Keaton Winn are slated to start for Albuquerque and Sacramento, respectively.