Topes Notes: Yes, it's early, but it's also been a long time since the Isotopes have looked this good

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Condon road games: 8

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Condon road home runes: 4

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Condon home games: 7

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Condon home home runs: 0

What's up, Chuck? Albuquerque fans want some souvenirs!

Three up, three down

Some things that have been looking good lately for the 'Topes, some not so good.

Looking good:

The Isotopes have scored a PCL-best 138 runs this season, 114 of them coming in the past two series.

Isotopes pitchers have allowed just five runs in the first inning this season — by far the lowest total of runs allowed of any inning for Albuquerque. The Topes are outscoring opponents 14-5 in the first inning of their 21 games played.

Albuquerque's 37 stolen bases are eight more than any other Pacific Coast League team. Cole Carrigg’s 11 stolen bases are two more than any other player in the league (and five more than third place).

Look away:

Though Condon was singled out above for a lack of home-game homers, truth is he’s not really alone. The Isotopes have hit just six homers in 12 home games this season — four of them coming Sunday (that’s two homers in the first 11 home games).

While that first inning has been nice to the Isotopes, Albuquerque opponents are outscoring the Topes 28-10 in the fifth inning. The only other inning the Isotopes are “losing” this season is the ninth with opponents outscoring them 8-3. Albuquerque is tied or winning the run differential in all other innings this season.

OKC’s Zach Erhard hit the first inside-the-park grand slam in Isotopes Park history in the Comets 9-6 win over Albuquerque on April 14. Isotopes pitcher Luis Peralta walked four batters in the inning before the grand slam in a 5-0 second inning for the Comets.

Fast food

Taco, winless in the chile races in the Isotopes’ first homestand, won two of the first five races of this past homestand, climbing back up the standings.

Mysteriously, there was no race on Sunday.

Clearly, Big Salsa is getting nervous and doesn’t want Taco making a run at this year’s title. Fear not, the Journal is going to uncover every stone and get to the bottom of the shenanigans!

2026 season standings (11 races):

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6 wins — Salsa Jar

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2 wins — Taco

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2 wins — Red Chile

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1 wins — Green Chile

What are they doing?

Here’s another periodic check-in on some (not all) of the fun promos the “other guys” are doing when the Isotopes are in their ballpark.

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Tuesday: $2 hot dogs, ice cream and other concession items.

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Wednesday: Day drinking! My phrase, not theirs, but there is $2 off wine throughout the ballpark for this noon-starting game in wine country.

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Friday: Sweatshirt giveaway

Next home game

The Isotopes return home for a six-game set against the El Paso Chihuahuas on Tuesday, April 28.

Trivia answer

Three.

In the 12 series the Los Angeles Dodgers' Triple A affiliate has played in Albuquerque since the Dodgers abandoned the Duke City, the Isotopes have won the series three times, lost six times and tied three times.

The wins: 4-2, last Tuesday through Sunday; 4-2 in May 2021; and 3-1 in May 2017.

Also, in that time, OKC has had three team names: Oklahoma City Dodgers, Oklahoma City Baseball Club, and now the Oklahoma City Comets.

Reach Geoff Grammer at ggrammer@abqjournal.com or follow him on Twitter (X) @GeoffGrammer.