Topes Notes: Hilliard taking over more franchise records

How’s this for a one-two punch?

Or, better yet, a 3-4 punch?

Outfielder Sam Hilliard, the Albuquerque Isotopes legend — yes, with these records, he most definitely qualifies as “franchise legend” at this point — hit his 10th triple of the season and 26th three-bagger of his Isotopes career, becoming the franchise’s career record holder for triples — breaking a tie at 25 with former ‘Tope Eric Reed (2005-08).

Robert Andino is the Isotopes’ single-season record holder with 13 in 2007.

Last season, Hilliard also became the Isotopes’ all-time home run record holder (his record now stands at 88).

To hold both records is a rarity.

For context, the Isotopes’ No. 2 player on the career home run list, Jordan Patterson (66 home runs), hit 16 triples with Albuquerque. And Reed (25 triples to Hilliard’s 26 and counting), hit just five home runs with the Isotopes.

Hilliard is the sixth player in Isotopes history to have double-digit hits, doubles, triples and homers in a season.

As for the season overall, Hilliard has proven once again to be the classic 4-A player: clearly, consistently better than the Triple-A level, but not quite consistent enough — or fortunate enough, timing wise — to stick longterm with the Rockies (his most success in the big leagues came in stints with the Atlanta Braves in 2023 and Rockies last year when getting consistent playing time).

Sunday, he was 2-for-5 at the dish with a homer, a double, two RBI and two runs scored.

On the season:

• Rockies: 20 games, .196 batting average, 2 home runs, 1 triple, 2 doubles and two stolen bases.

• Isotopes: 67 games, .288 batting average, 12 home runs, 10 triples, 12 doubles and nine stolen bases.

Know your foe

The Albuquerque Isotopes host a six-game Pacific Coast League series at Rio Grande Credit Union Field this week — Tuesday through Sunday — against the visiting Las Vegas Aviators.

This season, Albuquerque is 1-5 versus Las Vegas after losing five straight in a series in Vegas earlier this year.

• Isotopes, Triple-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, are 49-70 overall, tied-ninth place; 18-27 second half, ninth place.

• Aviators, Triple-A affiliate of the Athletics, are 69-51 overall, second place; 20-25 second half, tied-sixth place.

Three up, three down

Looking good:

1. 1B Michael Toglia tied a career high with four hits in Saturday’s road win over the Oklahoma City Comets, the first Isotopes player to record four hits on his birthday.

The previous on-birthday franchise hits record was three, held by three former ‘Topes: Paul Hoover (April 14, 2008, vs. OKC); Tagg Bozied (July 24, 2008, vs. Sacramento); and Daniel Cope (June 15, 2023, vs. Tacoma).

Toglia, like Hilliard, seems to be a bit of a tweener — finding great success in Triple-A, but not sticking around in the big leagues as the Rockies would have hoped.

In his last eight games with the Isotopes, Toglia is 15-of-31 (.484) with three home runs, 10 RBIs and eight runs scored, and he’s drawn six walks (one was intentional).

2. OF Sean Bouchard has on on-base streak of 21 games.

3. Albuquerque’s 51 triples is the most in Triple-A. By a lot.

The next closest team is Toledo of the International League with 40, and no other Triple-A team has as many as 40.

Look away:

1. Albuquerque has gone hitless with runners in scoring position in 20 of its 119 games played this season, including twice in last week’s series at Oklahoma City, and 0-for-6 in Sunday’s loss.

2. In Sunday’s 9-5 loss at Oklahoma City, the Isotopes allowed three runs in the third inning and five runs in the fourth inning. That checks out as those are the two highest scoring innings for Isotopes opponents this season.

Of the 764 runs opposing teams have scored against Albuquerque, 113 (14.8%) have come in the third inning and 100 (13.1%) have come in the fourth.

The lowest scoring full inning for Albuquerque opponents is the second, where they’ve scored 68 runs (8.9%).

3. The Isotopes need to win 10 of their final 30 games to avoid tying their worst record in franchise history, a record set all the way back in 2024 when the team went 58-92.

Fast food

This season’s chile pepper race standings at Isotopes Park (56 races):

• Salsa jar — 16 wins
• Green chile — 16 wins
• Taco — 14 wins
• Red chile — 10 wins

Home stand highlights

Wednesday: Nacho Average Wednesday promotion with specialty nacho offerings at various concessions locations around the ballpark.

Friday: American Sign Language Night featuring ASL interpreters throughout the ballpark from Albuquerque Sign Language Academy; Orbit figurine giveaway to first 3,000 fans; ASLA student-performed National Anthem; silent inning (no music of public address announcements); online auction of specially-themed jerseys spelling out “Isotopes” using ASL; pregame player autographs on third base side of the concourse from 5:40 to 6 p.m.

Saturday: Postgame fireworks; City Roots Series; All Hurricane Jr. pregame concert (5:15 p.m. to 6 p.m.); Autism Acceptance Night.

Sunday: Sesame Street Day; Sesame Street Rally Towel giveaway (first 500 fans).