At 5,312 feet, Albuquerque, New Mexico, is the highest United States metro area in the country, despite Denver, Colorado, taking the moniker of “Mile High City.”
Iconically, the Albuquerque Isotopes serve as the Triple-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies. Just like Coors Field in Denver, RGCU Field at Isotopes Park is a dream for hitters — and a nightmare for pitchers.
The Round Rock Express took their fourth straight game over the Isotopes, clinching the series with a dominant 21-hit, five home run performance in a 13-6 victory Thursday night.
Coming back from Arlington to get readjusted after injuring his left quad in July, Jake Burger has certainly warmed back up to his major league form. Going 4-6 at the plate, driving in four RBI and launching a two-run go-ahead home run, Burger’s rehab time in Round Rock is coming to an end.
The Express bats started to pick up as Connor Van Scoyoc replaced the Rockies’ prized pitching prospect Gabriel Hughes in the top of the fifth inning. Just two pitches into his appearance, Van Scoyoc allowed Round Rock to gain its first lead with the home run by Burger to go up 4-2.
A deep sac fly by Keston Hiura and a Sterling Thompson solo home run allowed Albuquerque to tie the game up 4-4, heading into the sixth inning.
During his second inning of play, Van Scoyoc could not find command on the mound, widening the scoreboard deficit further in the top of the sixth inning.
Round Rock, firing on all cylinders, had its most productive frame of the night — a pair of two-run home runs by former Isotope Alan Trejo and Cody Freeman. Six following base hits and five runs put the Express up 9-5 at the end of the sixth.
Most familiar with the park, Trejo arguably had the second-best day in the yard. Against his former team, Trejo launched the game’s fourth home run, kicking off the long sixth inning for Van Scoyoc. Trejo hit his second home run of the game in the top of the ninth to further Round Rock’s lead.
Burger piled on the final runs of the night for the Express, shooting a sharp line drive down the right field line for a two-RBI double.
Despite a massive deficit in the back half of the night, the Isotopes rang off two more solo home runs in the sixth and ninth innings, their last being from former Express infielder Blaine Crim, who was claimed by the Rockies organization last week. Crim’s 19th home run of the season was his first in an Isotopes uniform.
Abimelec Ortiz has certainly been the biggest surprise for the Express this series. Ortiz has been the hottest hitter for the Express since earning his first Triple-A callup this week. Not losing any steam from his eye-popping multi-home run, eight RBI debut, Ortiz hit his fourth Triple-A home run, putting the first two on the board for the Express.
