Three Stars: August 6 vs. Tacoma

In a fitting conclusion to a homer-happy series, the Isotopes (59-56) blasted the Tacoma Rainiers (57-58), 20-7, on the strength of six home runs — two apiece being hit by Russ Mitchell and Jamie Hoffmann.

The ‘Topes earned a series split with the Rainiers and also tied two franchise marks for runs and hits in a single inning. Down 7-4 after just two-and-a-half innings, Albuquerque exploded for 11 runs on ten hits in the bottom of the third. It was the third time in franchise history that the ‘Topes scored 11 runs in an inning after doing it on April 13, 2003 against Oklahoma City (fifth inning) and again on June 18, 2003 against Colorado Springs (sixth). As for the 10 hits, that feat was first accomplished in the aforementioned June 18, 2003 contest versus the Sky Sox. The ‘Topes would tack on five more runs in the fourth inning to cap the night’s rampant scoring.

Albuquerque now shifts focus to a four-game set against the Salt Lake Bees, which starts tomorrow night with the series opener at 6:05 p.m. MT.

Here are your Three Stars of the Game for your Isotopes:

1. Russ Mitchell, 3B (3-for-6, 2 HR, 6 RBI, three runs scored)

Mitchell had an absolutely monster night, cracking a three-run homer in the ‘Topes’ mega third inning and another three-run bomb in the fourth. In his last five contests, he’s hit at a .522 clip with three HRs and 12 RBIs.

2. Jamie Hoffmann, RF (4-for-5, 2 HR, 4 RBI, three runs scored)

Not too far behind was Hoffmann, who swatted a three-run homer off Tacoma starting pitcher Chris Seddon in the second and went yard again with a solo shot in the third off reliever Chaz Roe.

3. The Bullpen — Ramon Troncoso, Travis Schlichting and Roy Corcoran

After starter Francisco Felix’s tough three innings of work (seven runs allowed, all earned, on eight hits), Troncoso, Schlichting and Corcoran combined to throw six scoreless frames, striking out seven batters and scattering just five hits. Troncoso (2-2) picked up the win after blanking the Rainiers in his three innings of action, allowing just one hit in that stretch.

For a full recap of tonight’s game, head over to AlbuquerqueBaseball.com!

Three Stars: August 5 vs. Tacoma

The Isotopes (58-56) held a 7-5 lead through four innings, but couldn’t hold on as the Tacoma Rainiers (57-57) came from behind and outslugged them, 13-9, on Friday night at Isotopes Park.

Down 5-1 after two-and-a-half innings, the ‘Topes put up a five-run third with scoring from a Russ Mitchell two-run single and a three-run homer from John Lindsey, making it 6-5. A Justin Sellers triple in the fourth set him up to score on a Jay Gibbons force out grounder, pushing the lead to 7-5, Albuquerque. But Tacoma took it back for good with a three-run fifth that was punctuated by a two-run homer from Mike Wilson. The Rainiers held an 8-7 edge until the eighth, when they plated five runs to effectively seal the win.

Here’s your Three Stars of the Game for your Isotopes:

1. John Lindsey, DH (2-for-4, HR, 3 RBI, BB, one run scored)

Big John kept on rolling, clearing the .300 BA mark (.304) with another strong night that was marked by his ninth dinger of the season, a three-run job off Tacoma’s Luke French in the third inning.

2. Russ Mitchell, 1B (3-for-4, 2 RBI, BB, two runs scored)

Mitchell also had a good night at the dish, gaining his 48th and 49th RBI of the season on the aforementioned two-run base hit. He also collected a single in the fourth inning and a triple in the ninth.

3. Justin Sellers, SS (2-for-3, HR, one RBI, 2 BB, three runs scored)

In addition to his fourth-inning triple that would help net a run for the ‘Topes, Sellers drew first blood with a solo homer in the first inning (his 13th round-tripper of 2011).

Honorable Mention: Tim Federowicz, C (1-for-4, one RBI, one run scored)

On his 24th birthday, Federowicz gave himself a nice present: His first Triple-A home run. In the eighth inning, he cranked a 2-0 pitch from Tacoma reliever Shawn Kelley over the wall in left field. Happy Birthday, indeed.

For a full recap of tonight’s game, head over to AlbuquerqueBaseball.com!

Three Stars: August 4 vs. Tacoma

The long ball made for a long night as the Tacoma Rainiers (56-57) cranked out five home runs in a 12-4 victory over the Isotopes (58-55) on Thursday night at Isotopes Park.

Rainiers third baseman Alex Liddi blasted three homers, becoming the first opposing player to pull that feat off against the ‘Topes since Oklahoma’s Victor Diaz did it on Sept. 1, 2007. Designated hitter Wily Mo Pena socked the other two Tacoma dingers.

Albuquerque took a 1-0 lead in the second inning with a solo home run from John Lindsey, but that would be the last time the ‘Topes would hold the lead as Tacoma exploded for six runs in the top of the third inning. The ‘Topes got three of those runs back in their half of the third to pull within 6-4, but a three-run fourth for Tacoma pushed their edge to 9-4 and would effectively silence a potential rally from the home team.

Here are your Three Stars of the Game for your Isotopes:

1. John Lindsey, DH (2-for-4, HR, one RBI, one run scored)

After going 2-for-3 last night in his first game back from the disabled list, Lindsey kept plugging along with his eighth homer of the season, which gave the ‘Topes their first — and, as it turned out, only — lead on Thursday.

2. Jay Gibbons, RF (1-for-5, HR, two RBI, one run scored)

After Brad Coon led off the ‘Topes’ third with a single, Gibbons stepped in two batters later and hit a two-run homer to give some life to Albuquerque and cut Tacoma’s lead to 6-3.

3. Jamie Hoffmann, LF (1-for-4, one RBI)

With runners on the corners,  Hoffmann continued Albuquerque’s third-inning surge with a RBI single to left-center. That made it 6-4 at the time, but it would be as close as the ‘Topes would get.

For a full recap of tonight’s game, be sure to check out AlbuquerqueBaseball.com!

Three Stars: August 3 vs. Tacoma

A four-run fifth inning would prove to be the turning point for the Isotopes (58-54) in a 6-3 victory over the Tacoma Rainiers (55-57) on Wednesday night at Isotopes Park. After scoring a pair of runs in the third inning to pull within 3-2, the ‘Topes pushed ahead in the fifth with a three-run homer from Jerry Sands, followed by an RBI double from the returning John Lindsey.

Mike Parisi picked up the win, improving to 2-1 with the ‘Topes. Forrest Snow (0-1) took the loss for Tacoma.

Here are your Three Stars of the Game for your Isotopes:

1. Jerry Sands, 1B (1-for-4, HR, 3 RBI, one run scored)

Following two-out singles from Jay Gibbons and Mitchell in the fifth, Sands rocked his 19th home run of the season to put the ‘Topes ahead for good.

2. Russ Mitchell, 3B (2-for-3, 2 RBI, BB, one run scored)

Mitchell’s two-run double with two away in the second got Albuquerque on the board, and his aforementioned base hit in the fifth helped trigger a big frame for the home team.

3. Mike Parisi, P (6 IP, 3 R, 3 ER, 6 H, 5 BB, 4 K)

After giving up two runs in the first, Parisi settled down and gave up just one run on three hits over his next five innings — and then benefited nicely from the Isotopes’ four-run fifth.

Random Tidbit: In his first game in Albuquerque since being traded to the Mariners organization on Sunday in a three-team deal, PCL All-Star and former Isotope Trayvon Robinson went 0-for-2 with a strikeout and two walks for the Rainiers.

For a full recap of tonight’s game, be sure to visit AlbuquerqueBaseball.com!