’Topes ride solid pitching to win
Albuquerque trims El Paso’s lead to 4½
Don’t look now, but it would appear Isotopes Park has become a pitcher’s paradise.
The yard notorious for highscoring games and balls sailing through the thin mile-high air of Albuquerque hasn’t been home to many barnburners of late.
In fact, Thursday night’s 3-0 Isotopes win over the division-leading El Paso Chihuahuas marks the 10th consecutive game Albuquerque has allowed four or fewer runs.
The team had only two such five-game streaks previously this season, and one of those included three seven-inning games.
So, to put it mildly, the redhot ‘Topes — winners of 16 of their last 19 games — have pitched their way back into contention. The team now trails the Chihuahuas by 4½ games with 12 games remaining, seven of which are against El Paso, including the next three at home.
Thursday, starter Christian Bergman was the latest to string together an elite performance on the mound, allowing just four hits with no walks over seven scoreless innings, while striking out three.
“We definitely feed off each other, and we’ve got a great group of guys,” he said. “… The defense was awesome tonight. We turned a couple double plays, balls in the air we got good reads. It was really just a good team win tonight. (Catcher) Dustin Garneau called a great game. I don’t think I shook him once. Didn’t need to. And we just took care of the ball on defense, too.”
That total team effort, and the Rockies organization’s player development plan for its minor league players, coming together at the right time, is something ‘Topes manager Glenallen Hill has been glowing about for weeks.
“There’s difference facets of the process that happen in different areas of player development — hitting, pitching, fielding and what have you,” Hill said. “It all is coming together. When you execute pitches, and that is your focus, Darryl Scott has said it, good things happen.”
As for that 10-game streak of allowing four or fewer runs scored, Hill said there’s a reason for that.
“We haven’t walked very many hitters,” he said. “That’s a fact. Whatever teams are getting, we’ve made them earn it by pounding the strike zone.”
SCHOLARSHIP: University of New Mexico freshman Alexandra Azar was honored Thursday by the Isotopes, Esurance and Big Brothers/ Big Sisters of Central New Mexico with a $5,000 scholarship as one of 14 Esurance Rising Star Students nationwide.
The 18-year-old from Albuquerque was a “Little” in the BBBS since she was about 10-years-old, benefitting from the program with guidance and mentorship. It’s something she plans to pay forward as a “Big” in the near future.
“I just want to be there for them and teach them good morals and help with any lessons I might be able to help with,” said Azar. “My big sister, she was just always there to listen and it meant so much to me.”
Azar is currently planning on studying business and nutrition, but says she’s also thinking of pursuing early childhood development.
BIRTHDAY WISHES: In the middle of the second inning, the Isotopes Park public address announcer asked for fans to stand and sing Happy Birthday to Victoria Martens, who was killed this week in Albuquerque on her 10th birthday.
“Our community has been shaken the last couple of days due to the awful and senseless tragedy involving Victoria Martens,” the announcement stated. “Victoria would have turned 10-years-old on Wednesday. At this time, we ask that everyone please rise, hug your children and let’s celebrate precious little Victoria by singing Happy Birthday.”