After staggering through a 2-7 road trip that effectively turned the Pacific Coast League’s American Southern Division into a final-weekend sprint, the ‘Topes took out a few frustrations Friday with an 11-3 home win over Omaha.

Albuquerque maintained its 1 1/2-game lead over second-place Oklahoma City, which knocked off Round Rock 11-5.

	Today Omaha at Isotopes, 8:05 p.m. Radio: KNML-AM (610).

“Needless to say, it’s good to be home,” said Isotopes manager Lorenzo Bundy, whose team improved to 46-23 at Isotopes Park. “We really needed this one.”

It turned out to be a win-lose scenario for Bundy, as the calendar flips to Sept. 1 today – the day major league teams are allowed to expand their rosters. The Dodgers called up Isotopes catcher Tim Federowicz after Friday’s game.

“We only lost one player,” Bundy said, “but it was a big one. Fed’s had a nice year for us.”

Federowicz said he was surprised to get the call Friday.

“I really thought it would come at the end of the (PCL) season,” he said, “but I’m excited, very excited.”

Catcher Tyler Ogle will join the Isotopes from Single-A Great Lakes to fill Federowicz’s spot, but Josh Bard will be the ‘Topes’ everyday catcher, Bundy said.

“Josh has been through the wars,” Bundy said. “He’s ready to go.”

Bundy’s entire club seemed ready to get back on track Friday, scoring two runs in the first and seven in the second. This after scoring seven runs total in four straight losses at Oklahoma City.

Josh Fields’ RBI triple in the first inning was precisely what the team needed, Bundy said.

“Just to get on the board early after struggling so bad offensively, that was really important,” Bundy said.

The Isotopes then knocked out Omaha starter Justin Marks in the second, building a 9-0 lead and never looking back.

Albuquerque could clinch a division title with a win and an Oklahoma City loss tonight.