9 to go: What to look for as Isotopes hit final stretch
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First let’s get the obvious out of the way. The 2024 Pacific Coast League season has not been one for Albuquerque Isotopes fans to remember.
Not in the standings anyway.
Like their parent club, the Colorado Rockies, the Isotopes have struggled for most of the summer. Thursday’s 8-6 home loss to Las Vegas left Albuquerque at 56-85 with nine games left.
Remarkably, the Isotopes had not been mathematically eliminated as of Thursday evening, trailing Reno by 8 games in the loss column for the final spot with nine games left. The Isotopes finish with six games at Reno, but with six other teams between Albuquerque and Reno in the PCL standings, it would take a miraculous turn of events for the ‘Topes to reach the postseason.
Still, there’s plenty for fans to keep an eye on as the Isotopes season winds down, including some truly impressive feats both good and bad. Here are five things to watch:
Packing the house
Fans have been turning out in droves, and the Isotopes look like a safe bet to lead the PCL in home attendance. Through Thursday, Albuquerque has drawn 477,467 fans and is averaging 6,631 per game — both league highs and sixth best in all of Minor League Baseball.
Finishing with a bang
Look for the Isotopes’ attendance numbers to climb significantly this weekend as the club holds its annual Fan Appreciation Weekend. On tap: Postgame fireworks are scheduled for Friday and Saturday’s games against Las Vegas. Saturday also is Little League Night, which is certain to draw a slew of young ballplayers in uniform.
Last but not least, the Isotopes will cap the home schedule with Sunday’s Mariachis de Nuevo Mexico promotion, one that includes a free adult jersey giveaway to the first 3,000 fans 16 or older.
The Isotopes need to attract 22,533 fans over their final three home games to reach 500,000 for the season. From a promotional standpoint, their odds look good.
Hit and run
One Isotopes player who may not want the season to end anytime soon is infielder/outfielder Greg Jones, who is sizzling both at the plate and on the basepaths. Jones smacked leadoff homers Wednesday night and Thursday afternoon. He now has 15 long balls and a 15-game hitting streak (the longest of his career).
Even more impressive, Jones has stolen a PCL-best 45 bases this season and needs just four to equal Dee Gordon’s club record of 49 set in 2013. Jones has been caught stealing just three times all season and just once by an opposing catcher. The other two came on pickoffs.
Grand theft
Jones is not the only successful thief on the Isotopes roster this season. Albuquerque has 180 stolen bases, eclipsing the previous club record of 178 set in 2003. Seven players already have 10 steals or more, with two more at nine for the season.
Don’t go there
Thursday’s defeat pushed the Isotopes precariously close to a record they would much rather avoid. Albuquerque’s professional record for losses is 88, set by the 1957 Dukes (Single-A Western League) and equaled by the 1988 Dukes (Triple-A PCL). The 2024 ‘Topes need to finish 7-2 to avoid breaking the single-season loss standard.
Albuquerque also needs a few well-pitched games to avoid setting another dubious club mark. The Isotopes have allowed 1,019 runs this season, by far the most in Minor League Baseball (Las Vegas is second at 888). The club record of 1,051 runs allowed in 2022 remains within reach.
THURSDAY’S GAME: Yohel Pozo and Carlos Perez hit back-to-back homers with two outs in the fourth inning to put the visiting Las Vegas Aviators ahead to stay in an 8-6 matinee victory. Pozo’s three-run shot was the big blow, erasing a 5-3 Isotopes lead. Grant Lavigne went 3-for-4 with a triple and two RBIs for the Isotopes, while AJ Lewis had two doubles and drove in two runs.
From the classroom to the ballpark: Isotopes win school day matinee
