Forty games are in the books for the Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliates, the Albuquerque Isotopes, and the team, like it’s Major League counterparts stand in first place of the Pacific Coast League’s American Southern division. They hold a 1.5 game lead over the Oklahoma City RedHawks (Astros), and a 2.5 game lead in front of the New Orleans Zephyrs (Marlins).
Winners of six-of-their-last eight games, the Isotopes finished a four-game series against the Salt Lake City Bees (Angels) today on the road. From here they return home for a 12-game homestand against the Sacramento River Cats (A’s), Fresno Grizzlies (Giants), and the RedHawks.
Interestingly, the River Cats series will have many spectators on hand as on Saturday, the 19th, Sacramento is scheduled to have former Dodger Manny Ramirez join the team.
The ex-Dodger will play 10 games with Sacramento, including two in Albuquerque on the 19th and 20th as part of a 10-game warm-up before returning to Oakland. He is finishing his sentence of a 50-game drug suspension. He is scheduled to join the A’s on May 30th, also his 40th birthday.
Back to the ‘Topes, who come off of a 4-1 defeat against the Bees, but received a solid outing from John Ely, who allowed three runs on four hits in 6.1 innings, walking one and striking out eight. His outing included a stretch where he retired 12 batters in a row.
The game featured the debut of Brian Cavazos-Galvez, who joined Albuquerque from Single-A Rancho Cucamonga. He got the start in left-field and went 0-for-3.
Dodger fans should keep an eye out for Tyler Henson, a 24-year-old first baseman that has heated up since his promotion to Triple-A. For Rancho Cucamonga he posted a line of .192/.277/.384, hitting three home runs and driving in 14 RBIs. However, since joining the Isotopes, he is hitting .385/.429/1.000, and has hit two home runs and five RBIs.
No pressure, James Loney. At least not yet.
A day off tomorrow will allow Albuquerque to rest up for it’s upcoming four-game set with Sacramento. On the mound Thursday will be Michael Antonini, who has a record of 1-1, with a 4.00 ERA. He will oppose Brad Peacock, who is 4-1 with a 3.66 ERA.
First pitch from The Lab (home of the ‘Topes) is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.
For more information about the Isotopes, you can check out www.abqisotopes.com.
