The time came for the El Paso Chihuahuas to battle it out on the field against the Albuquerque Isotopes in a five-day-long rivalry series at Southwest University Park. Starting Sept. 12 and ending Sept. 17, the two teams went head-to-head, giving it their all as the season nears its end.
The first game in the series had a slow start, with neither team scoring in the first three innings. Things stayed quiet until the Isotopes scored two points in the fourth inning. Unfortunately, that start led to the Isotopes first victory in the rivalry series, with the final score being 6-3.
Things did not stop there, the Isotopes continued a short winning streak against the Chihuahuas for the first three games, with final scores being 4-2 for the second game and 9-8 in the third. It was not until the fourth game Sept. 15 that the Chihuahuas took a win. From one point in the first inning to scoring a game changing four points in the fourth inning, El Paso’s team secured a win against the Isotopes with final scores being 3-5.
With three more games left in the series, it was up to either team to secure the most wins against the other. Unfortunately, that team would be the Isotopes.
Saturday’s nail-biting game ended in a victory for the Isotopes. One of their players, Daniel Montano doubled on a sharp line drive to left fielder Taylor Kohlwey. During that play, two players managed to score, and one got to third base. Taylor Kohlwey doubled on a flyball to right fielder Jimmy Herron, leading two players to score for the Chihuahuas in the third inning. While the Isotopes managed to win the game with a 6-4 final score, it cannot be said that the victory was handed over.
The teams’ last game on Sunday ended with another close game. With the most points scored out of all the games in the series, the Isotopes once again took a victory home with a final score of 11-8. The game was not without some interesting plays, such as Yorman Rodriguez with a sacrifice fly to right Herron, which got in two scores for the Chihuahuas. For the rival team, Herron was able to score a home run that earned the Isotopes three points in one inning.
A fierce competition between two competitors, the latest rival series between the Albuquerque Isotopes and the El Paso Chihuahuas ultimately ended in five victories for Albuquerque and one for El Paso. While this rivalry series finished with victory to the other team, the Chihuahuas can look forward to another rivalry series as they play against the Sugar Land Space Cowboys for this upcoming week.
Elisha Nunez is a staff reporter and can be contacted at [email protected]
