Topes Notes: 13 home games in 13 days is a lot, but it's not the Isotopes record

Have no fear, the Isotopes are here. Like, for awhile.

Between Tuesday night and Aug. 10, Albuquerque’s Triple-A franchise is set to play 13 consecutive home games over a 13-day span. They play six games against Sacramento in six days before getting Monday, Aug. 4, off. Then it’s time for seven games in six days (there is an Aug. 6 double header) against Round Rock.

That’s one game shy of a franchise record 14 consecutive home games played to end the home portion of the 2010 season. The Topes played 13 consecutive home games in 2022 and 2009 and 12 consecutive games nine times since opening the doors in 2003.

But that 14-game stretch in 13 days in 2014 (the Isotopes went 9-5 in that stretch) takes the cake. It started with two games against New Orleans before a rainout on Day 3. For the next 10 days, the Isotopes played 12 games (two double-headers).

The 14th and final game was a memorable one — a 13-3 win over the Iowa Cubs played in front of an announced crowd of 13,002 at Isotopes Park. Ryne Sandberg, who managed the Cubs team that night, died Monday at the age of 65.

A rehabbing Rafael Furcal was the leadoff hitter and had a fifth inning home run for the Isotopes. Catcher A.J. Ellis, who is being inducted into the Albuquerque Professional Baseball Hall of Fame this coming Saturday, was 2-for-5 with two RBIs that night.

And then there was John Lindsey, who was voted the Isotopes Fan Favorite that season, who hit his 25th and final home run of the 2010 campaign. After the game, “Big John” got his only Major League call-up, playing 11 games for the Los Angeles Dodgers that September at the age of 33.

This year’s Isotopes (41-59) have played 44 home games, which is fewer than any other Pacific Coast League team. The Tacoma Raniers (57-45) and Reno Aces (45-57) have already played 57 home games.

Know the foe

The Isotopes on Tuesday open a six-game home series against PCL foe Sacramento River Cats.

• Isotopes Triple-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies are 41-59 overall, ninth place; 10-16 second half, eighth place
• River Cats, Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants are 52-50 overall, sixth place; 16-11 second half, fourth place

One of these is not like the others

As of Monday, the Isotopes roster included these four outfielders, listed by height and weight:

• 6-foot-5, 236 pounds
• 6-foot-3, 200 pounds
• 6-foot-3, 190 pounds
• 5-foot-9, 160 pounds

The 5-9 newcomer, Braiden Ward, isn’t getting overlooked by anyone in the PCL. He has 11 stolen bases in 13 games since his call-up from Double-A Hartford. He has 33 stolen bases overall, including 22 in 53 games at Hartford.

Walk this way

Isotopes RHP Ryan Feltner issued nine walks, surrendered three base hits (a double and two singles), had a wild pitch and gave up four stolen bases in 3.2 innings of work in an 8-2 Albuquerque win at Salt Lake last Thursday. But he allowed only one run to score.

For those scoring at home, that’s 12 baserunners, 17 bases (nine walks, two singles, one double and four stolen bases) and just 11 outs, and yet the Bees managed to score just one run.

That’s really hard to do.

Three up, three down

Looking good:

1. Ward’s 11 stolen bases in 13 games, including a steal of home in a game last week, legging out infield singles and getting clocked at an insanely fast 3.69 home-to-first on a bunt single earlier in the month has brought plenty of excitement.

2. 3B Aaron Schunk has a 10-game hitting streak and has a hit in 17 of the past 18 games he’s played for the Isotopes. He’s one of nine Isotopes who have had hitting streaks reach double figure games this season.

3. The Isotopes have 14 triples against left-handed pitchers, more than any team in professional baseball (MILB and MLB). In fact, only four other professional teams (out of 210) have reached double digits triples hit against lefties.

Look away:

1. The Isotopes split last week’s series at Salt Lake, 3-3. Albuquerque has won only one series this season — May 27-June 1 vs. Sugar Land, 4-2.

2. Isotopes hitters have drawn a PCL low 374 walks this season, 26 fewer than the next closest team. The team also drew the fewest walks in the PCL last season.

3. Not a Topes’ specific note here, but one that makes the cut nonetheless. The Las Vegas Aviators clinched the first-half PCL race with a 49-26 (.653) record and a plus-176 run differential. In the second half race, Las Vegas is 11-16 (.407) with a minus-20 run differential and is 1-9 in their last 10 games.

Fast food

The updated chile pepper race standings at Isotopes Park entering action Tuesday (44 races):

• Salsa Jar — 14 wins
• Taco — 13 wins
• Green Chile — 10 wins
• Red Chile — 7 wins

Homestand highlights

Here’s a look at this week’s slate of promotions:

Tuesday: Dollar hot dog night; the JustServe food drive is also taking place with nonperishable food items benefitting The Lobo Food Pantry.

Friday: Stand Up to Cancer Night; Jumbo Softee baseball giveaway to first 5,000 fans; postgame fireworks; pregame autographs on concourse on third base side from 5:40 to 6 p.m.

Saturday: Dukes Retro Night; Albuquerque Professional Baseball Hall of Fame pregame induction ceremony; postgame fireworks.

Sunday: Lunch bag giveaway to first 2,000 fans.