Isotopes Power Their Way Past Las Vegas, 11-6

Albuquerque, NM – The slamming Isotopes resumed their hot hitting ways on Friday night. First baseman Elehuris Montero capped a seven-run second inning with a grand slam, Albuquerque’s 11th of the season and fourth in their last five games, and the home team rode the momentum to an 11-6 victory over the Las Vegas Aviators at Isotopes Park.

The Topes (46-51) have won three of the first four games of this series against the Oakland Athletics Triple-A affiliate.

The Aviators (50-46) briefly led 1-0 on a Matt Davidson homer in the second before Albuquerque erupted with their massive bottom of the frame.

With runners on first and second and one out, Coco Montes doubled off the left-field wall to bring home Carlos Pérez with the first Isotopes run of the night. After an out and a walk loaded the bases with two outs, Wynton Bernard came through with a two-run single off the third baseman’s glove, making it 3-1 Albuquerque. Dom Nuñez drew a walk before Montero mashed the first pitch over the center-field wall for a grand slam, and the home team led 7-1 after two frames.

Isotopes starter Corey Oswalt allowed two runs in three frames before leaving with an undisclosed injury as he was warming up to pitch the fourth.

Las Vegas climbed to within 7-4 when Davidson and Shea Langeliers drove home runs in the fifth, but Albuquerque answered right back. Pérez and Montes each launched a solo home run to left field, putting the Isotopes back in front by five runs and chasing Aviators starter Adrian Martinez after 4.2 frames of nine-run ball (three earned).

Albuquerque plated a pair of insurance runs in the eighth on RBI singles by Bernard and Nuñez, once again upping their advantage to five runs.

Topes Scope: - Albuquerque has 11 grand slams this season, tied with the 2021 Greensboro Grasshoppers (Pirates High-A) and the 2011 San Antonio Missions (Padres Double-A) for the most slams by a Minor League team in a campaign in the last 15 years. The Lake Elsinore Storm (Padres High-A) were the last MiLB club to hit 12, in 2007.

- Montero hit the second grand slam of his professional career. His other came Aug. 3, 2017 as a member of the Gulf Coast League Cardinals.

- The Isotopes tied their season-best by scoring seven runs in a frame for the fourth time this season, and second this week. They also did so in the fifth inning on July 26 vs. Las Vegas.

- Bernard is 5-for-12 with 12 RBI with the bases loaded this season. He tallied his team-leading 32nd multi-hit game and 25th game with multiple runs batted in, also tops on the club.

- Pérez has gone deep eight times in his last 19 games dating back to July 2. He has 21 for the season, tied for second in the PCL with Jason Martin (Oklahoma City) and David Villar (Sacramento).

- Montes tied his career high with his 13th long ball of the campaign (all homers with Albuquerque) in 80 games between Double-A and Triple-A. He also had 13 in 132 games for Single-A Asheville in 2019 and 13 in 116 contests for Double-A Hartford in 2021.

- Montes is 9-for-18 with a double, four homers and 13 RBI in his last four ballgames.

- Nuñez recored his third multi-hit contest in his last four games. During the stretch, he is 7-for-16 with a double, homer, two RBI and four walks.

- Albuquerque reached double digits in the run column for the 24th time this season, 17th at home, and the fourth time in the last five contests.

- The Isotopes won when being outhit by their opponent for just the fifth time in 2022 (5-43). It was their second win at home (2-15), the other came May 15 when they were outhit by Sugar Land 7-6 but won 4-3.

- *The Topes are batting .330 with 54 runs scored, 12 doubles, two triples, and 14 home runs in their last five games. They are outscoring opponents 54-29 during the stretch.

- PJ Poulin struck out three batters in 1.1 frames of relief, the seventh time he has fanned three or more in 36 appearances between Double-A and Triple-A in 2022.

- The Isotopes have won three of the first four games in a series for the second time this year, they also did so from April 12-15 vs. Tacoma. There was one instance they won the first four contests of a set, an eventual six-game sweep vs. Salt Lake from June 14-19.

- Albuquerque improved to 4-3 in Friday home games this season. They have not finished a winning record in Friday contests at home since going 8-3 in 2014.

- The Isotopes are 19-10 in their last 29 home games against Oakland’s Triple-A affiliate, dating back to a victory over the Sacramento River Cats on July 18, 2014.

On Deck: Albuquerque will play as the Green Chile Cheeseburgers on Saturday, and the night will feature a “Breaking Bad” Silent Auction exclusively at Isotopes Park. Gates open at 5:00 p.m. and first pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. Right-hander Brandon Gold is scheduled to start for Albuquerque and right-hander Collin Wiles is slated for Las Vegas.