Homers Push Isotopes Past Aviators, 4-3
June 23, 2022 - Pacific Coast League (PCL)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release
Summerlin, NV - With the game tied at 2-2 in the seventh inning, Sam Hilliard blasted a 473 ft. go-ahead two-run clout while Chad Smith nailed down his 10th save in as many chances to propel the Isotopes to a 4-3 victory Thursday night at Las Vegas Ballpark.
Offensively, the Isotopes tallied three hits-all homers. They also drew eight walks. Dom Nuñez and Alan Trejo each swatted solo home runs while Hilliard recorded the third hit, the go-ahead dinger.
The Aviators lifted off to a 1-0 lead in the first on an Austin Allen RBI single, his fifth RBI in the last two games. But Trejo knotted the game at 1-1 in the second inning on his fourth dinger of the year.
Albuquerque took a 2-1 lead in the third on Nuñez' second Triple-A homer of the season. Three innings later, Las Vegas' Dermis Garcia hit a solo clout to tie the game at 2-2.
However, Hilliard then blasted his first Triple-A homer of 2022, a two-run shot, to give the Isotopes a 4-2 advantage. The Aviators got a run closer on a Machin RBI single in the seventh.
José Ureña did not factor into the decision after allowing one run over 5.0 innings.
Topes Scope: - The Isotopes are now 10-8 in one run ballgames and 6-6 on the road.
-Thirteen of the 16 runs the Isotopes have scored this series have come via the home run.
-Smith leads the PCL in saves with 10.
-Trejo hit his first home run since June 14 vs. Salt Lake, 10 at-bats. It was his third homer on the road. He has one at Isotopes Park.
-Ureña has allowed seven first inning runs in his four starts (six against El Paso on June 11). He also completed 5.0 innings for the first time since June 6, 2021, with Detroit. It is just the third time since 2019 he has tossed at least 5.0 innings and allowed one run or fewer (Miami, 4/14/19 vs. Philadelphia; Detroit, 5/26/21 vs. Cleveland).
-Nuñez' solo shot in the second was the Isotopes 100th homer of the year. The team is currently third (101) in round-trippers in the PCL. It was also Nuñez' first homer since June 7 vs. El Paso, 36 at-bats.
-Scott Schebler stole his third base of the season-he has yet to be caught.
-Both teams were issued warnings after a 1-6-3 double play, off the bat of Vimael Machin, emptied the Aviators dugout.
-Kyle Holder is 2-for-40 (.050) over his last 12 games.
-Julian Fernandez has allowed a run in 14 of his 24 games pitched and relented a homer in nine.
-Nuñez has allowed 32 stolen bases in 36 attempts this year.
-Hilliard swatted his first homer since May 14 vs. Kansas City while with Colorado, 67 at-bats.
-Wynton Bernard had his seven-game hit streak snapped after an 0-for-5 performance with three strikeouts. It was just the second time this year he has fanned three times. During the streak, he is 10-for-16 with two multi-hit efforts, eight RBI and three dingers.
On Deck: The Isotopes and Aviators will play game four Friday at 8:05 pm MT. Albuquerque is scheduled to send Riley Smith to the mound while Las Vegas is expected to start Collin Wiles.
• Discuss this story on the Pacific Coast League message board...
Pacific Coast League Stories from June 23, 2022
- Aces' Offense Strikes Early, Henry Tosses Quality Start in 9-3 Win over Bees - Reno Aces
- Bees Downed by Aces in Rain Delayed Matchup - Salt Lake Bees
- Vosler, Díaz Homer in Thursday Night Defeat - Sacramento River Cats
- El Paso Downs Sacramento - El Paso Chihuahuas
- Homers Push Isotopes Past Aviators, 4-3 - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Yainer Diaz Collects First Triple A Homer with Space Cowboys - Sugar Land Space Cowboys
- Sheffield Settles Down Space Cowboys in Comeback Win - Tacoma Rainiers
- Express Fall Short, Dodgers Earn 6-5 Win on Thursday Night - Round Rock Express
- Sheffield Settles Down Space Cowboys in Comeback Win - Tacoma Rainiers
- Space Cowboys Game Notes vs. TAC - Sugar Land Space Cowboys
- Tacoma Rainiers Game Notes: at Sugar Land (5:05 p.m. PT) - Tacoma Rainiers
- OKC Dodgers Game Notes - June 23, 2022 - Oklahoma City Comets
- Isotopes Announce 2022 Albuquerque Professional Baseball Hall of Fame Class: Stewart, Cey, Moots to be Inducted July 23 - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Multidisciplinary Experts at Integris Health Guide Jeremiah Harrell Through Spine and Heart Challenges - Oklahoma City Comets
- Jake Odorizzi to Begin Rehab Stint Friday with Space Cowboys - Sugar Land Space Cowboys
- Aviators Win, 8-7, for Second-Straight Triumph - Albuquerque Isotopes
- River Cats Top Chihuahuas 13-5 Wednesday Night - El Paso Chihuahuas
- Villar, Pereda Leave Yard Twice, River Cats Homer Six Times to Down Chihuahuas - Sacramento River Cats
- Rainier(S) Higher Than Space (Cowboys) in 13-7 Win - Tacoma Rainiers
- Nelson Dominates on the Mound in Aces 5-1 Victory over the Bees - Reno Aces
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
