June 24: Three Stars vs. Oklahoma City

The Isotopes fell for the third straight night as the Oklahoma City RedHawks took an 11-7 win on Friday at Isotopes Park. Albuquerque cut a 6-1 RedHawks lead down to 6-5 with a four-run third inning, but the ‘Hawks were able to stay ahead with five runs over the last six innings of the game.

Here are tonight’s three stars of the game for your Isotopes:

1. Jerry Sands (three-for-four, 2 HR, 3 RBI, two runs scored)

Sands was a key part of the ‘Topes big third inning as he hit a solo home run to cut Oklahoma City’s edge to 6-4. He later muscled another solo shot out of the park in the bottom of the eighth.

2. Justin Sellers (three-for-four, two RBI, one run scored)

In the sixth inning, Sellers got the ‘Topes in striking distance with a solo homer to left field off ‘Hawks starter Nelson Figueroa, making it 9-6, Oklahoma City. Earlier on, he got Albuquerque on the scoreboard with a RBI single in the second inning.

3. Eugenio Velez (three-for-five, one run scored)

Velez kept plugging along offensively with singles in the first, third and fourth innings on Friday. His batting average jumped seven percentage points to a not-too-shabby .362.

For a full recap, head on over to AlbuquerqueBaseball.com!

Three Stars: June 23 vs. Oklahoma City

The Isotopes tried to pull off some late magic but the Oklahoma City RedHawks once again held on to win, this time by the score of 8-6 tonight at Isotopes Park. Albuquerque certainly made things interesting at the finish, but a five-run eighth inning from the RedHawks proved too much to overcome.

Here are tonight’s three stars of the game for your ‘Topes:

1. Tim Sexton (6 IP, 2 R, 1 ER, 6 H, 1 BB, 4 K)

The right-hander performed well after taking over for the rehabbing Jonathan Broxton in the second inning, keeping the RedHawks in check save for a pair of OKC runs in the third inning.

2. J.D. Closser (two-for-five, one RBI)

Closser broke a 2-2 tie in the fifth inning with a one-out single to center that scored Ivan De Jesus, Jr. (who also came away with a pair of hits) and gave the ‘Topes a 3-2 lead they would hold until the RedHawks’ big eighth.

3. Jonathan Broxton (1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 3 K)

In what was likely his final rehab appearance in Albuquerque, Broxton threw 22 pitches (14 for strikes) and had a solid outing with three strikeouts notched in his one inning of work.

For a full recap, head on over to AlbuquerqueBaseball.com!