Latest news with #Isotopes'
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Topes Tuesday Notebook: The pitching at hitter-friendly Isotopes Park has actually been, well, not that bad
Topes Tuesday Notebook: The pitching at hitter-friendly Isotopes Park has actually been, well, not that bad Apr. 21—Jaden Hill heard all about it. Long before the 6-foot-4, 235-pound righty stepped foot in the Duke City or threw his first pitch in Isotopes Park, he heard the stories — things dreams are made of for hitters, but nightmares for pitchers like himself. Advertisement "It's kind of something you hear about before you ever get here — word of mouth, I guess. You know the ball is going to fly here, your pitches don't move the same, pop ups end up over the wall. You hear it all," Hill told a Journal reporter last week sitting in the dugout of the notoriously hitter-friendly Isotopes Park, only a few days ahead of his call up to the Major Leagues with the Colorado Rockies (his second after appearing in nine games with the parent club last season). "It's something you mentally prepare for as a pitcher, but, it really doesn't affect you until you get here." But, for all the horror stories about how pitching in the dry, thin air of Albuquerque could get in the heads of the best of prospects as he worked his way through the Rockies minor league system, it might surprise you what the first thing the 25-year-old former second round draft pick of the Rockies in 2021 remembers as being different at Isotopes Park compared to anywhere else he's ever pitched. "Probably the run from the bullpen to the mound that really gets you out of breath," Hill said after a momentary pause of recollection to his Triple-A debut in 2024. "That was something I noticed pretty early on, to be honest." Advertisement Yes, he eventually noticed it is also hard to pitch, not just run, at altitude. But so far this season, the reputation seems to be worse than the reality for Isotopes pitchers. If all you do is look at box scores, you'd might not realize that this pitching staff through 21 games has actually been, well, not all that bad. Through Sunday, the Isotopes' ERA of 5.60 ranked just 8th in the Pacific Coast League, as did their WHIP (1.70) and opponent batting average (.276). All manageable numbers for the team who annually ranks among the best in the Minor Leagues in offensive categories, in particular home runs hit. The Isotopes' 17 home runs allowed through 21 games also ranks 8th with only league co-leading Oklahoma City (14 homers) and near-sea level Tacoma (11 homers) allowing fewer. Advertisement And Albuquerque's run differential of minus-7 is competitive considering they lost the April 1 season opener 15-1. "We've definitely got some talented arms, and we got some guys that have some pitch ability," Isotopes pitching coach Chris Michalak said. "They're doing a good job of attacking the strike zone, and that's something that you have to do with this ballpark, you know? You've got to limit the free passes. Usually it's not the hits that hurt you, it's the guys that got on before the hits because of the free pass." Homers will happen in Albuquerque, pitchers have to accept that. But solo shots hurt far less than 2-, 3- and 4-run blasts thanks to putting runners on base first. So, why has it been better in the early part of the season so far? Advertisement "I think we got better stuff. I think we have better command. And not to take anything away from the guys that we had last year, but just unfortunately, there was no stuff," third-year Isotopes manager Pedro Lopez said. "There was no command. When you're playing in places like this, when you're playing in altitude, you gotta make sure that you execute your pitches." Know the foe The Isotopes (9-12, tied for seventh in the 10-team Pacific Coast League, Colorado Rockies affiliate) start a six-game road series against the Reno Aces (10-11, tied for fifth, Arizona Diamondbacks affiliate) at Greater Nevada Field, on Tuesday with the series concluding on Sunday. Advertisement Hill on a roll Outfielder Sam Hilliard has an RBI double in Sunday's Game 1 of the doubleheader, extending to 21 games his Triple-A on-base streak — a stretch that started June 11, 2024, during his short stint in the minors last season. Something to Taco-bout The improbable fast start for Salsa Jar to the 2025 chile race season at Isotopes Park continued over the past week with two more wins for the not-so-chunky speedster. Clear fan favorite Taco has yet to get on a roll and has been rather soft this season while Red and Green Chile don't seem to be in season just yet. Isotopes Park Chile Race standings through April 20: 5 wins — Salsa Jar 3 wins — Taco 2 wins — Green Chile 1 win — Red Chile Next homestand The Isotopes' next homestand is April 29 through May 4 against the Salt Lake Bees.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Forget peanuts and Cracker Jack, Isotopes unveil 2025's new batch of ballpark concession items
Mar. 25—Some kids lay in bed dreaming of standing at home plate and hitting a home run to the roar of a stadium crowd. Jim Griego's dream was about how to fry pork ends in just the right way to mix with red chile flakes and the perfect amount of maple syrup to feed all those screaming baseball fans. "Pig Candy is my favorite," said Griego, executive chef of the Albuquerque Isotopes, when talking Tuesday about one of his favorite ballpark food concoctions. Pig Candy was created two years ago and remains one of the best selling items at Isotopes Park. "It's an invention that I laid in bed for many nights trying to figure out," Griego said. "I love pork because it's such a versatile product. And I kept trying to think, how can you get sweet, spicy, crunchy, and it goes perfect with our main beverage here? We'll just call it a 'beverage.'" He can call it a "beverage." We'll call it by it's more common name: "beer". After all, what's taking in a game at the ballpark without a beer in one hand and an order of Pig Candy in the other? "We challenge them to come up with new and creative ways to elevate the culinary experience for the fan," said Isotopes General Manager John Traub, "Whether it's something savory, whether it's something sweet, whether it's whatever it's going to be, it's going to be delectable." So, with a grin on his face that resembled a cross between kid in a (pig) candy store and mad scientist revealing his latest invention, Griego on Tuesday led the Isotopes' annual presentation of new ballpark menu items — a collection of savory barbeque-based entrées and five new deserts sure to satisfy on a summer day at the yard. "I always ask my team, what should we do this year? What looks different? What are things you're seeing out there?" he said, standing in front of a plate chicken wings, a loaded brisket sandwich and several melting ice cream desserts. "And we'll sit down and talk about it, and then I'll start creating. ... This is the way I kick off my baseball season." Enough of the appetizers. Let's get to this year's new ballpark items — the ones hoping to stick around on the menu at Isotopes Park, like the home run 'Pig Candy' of 2023, and not get sent back down to the minors like some of the items of yesteryear, like the Tumbleweed Burger, a cotton candy green chile cheeseburger that took a swing and a miss in 2019, before Griego was working at Isotopes Park. New food entrées Each of this year's three new food items will be available in the Pecos River concession stand near Section 120. The Ballpark Sandwich: The headliner of this year's unveiling, the "Ballpark" is a brisket sandwich that combines several (you guessed it) ballpark staples from hot dogs to peanuts to pretzels and more. "It starts out with a pretzel bun," Griego explained. "It has smoked brisket. ... (and) South Carolina mustard barbecue sauce on that. On top of that, I have hot dog bacon (yes, hot dog bacon), and that hot dog bacon is made with a little teriyaki sauce. On top of that, we've got some white onions ... crispy pickles ... and beer nuts. "So we have everything that you can get at the ballpark, all in one sandwich." Spicy Roasted Half Chicken: "Coated in a flavorful dry rub, the chicken soaks in a combination of house blended spices, bringing a savory kick with every bite," the Isotopes said in a news release. "As it cooks low and slow, the dry rub caramelizes into a slightly crispy, flavorful crust, sealing in all the juiciness. ... Served with a side of red-chile-infused barbeque sauce." Hungarian Hot Smoked Paprika Chicken Wings: Air-fried chicken wings with Hungarian hot smoked paprika to bring "a deep, smoky mild heat" paired with a cucumber ranch dressing. New dessert options Dessert options are available at "The Sweet Spot" stand near Section 117. Fanfare Milkshake: Griego said this was his attempt at coming up with a "Bloody Mary milkshake" treat. The frosty dessert features a homemade ice cream cookie dipped in a milkshake with chocolate straws, marshmallow whipped cream, chocolate sauce at the bottom and, of course, a cherry on top. Ice Cream Nachos: Wafer cookies dusted with cinnamon and sugar and drizzled in chocolate and caramel sauce. Replace the traditional tortilla chips and forget queso, these get dipped in ice cream and whipped cream. Piña Colada Ice Cream Float: "This delectable float begins with a scoop of creamy soft-serve ice cream served in a delicious non-alcoholic Piña Colada and garnished with a pineapple wedge," said the Isotopes news release. "Topped with whipped cream and a cherry, this is a decadent delight." Brownie Sundae: It's a classic. It's ice cream on a chocolate brownie topped with a drizzle of caramel sauce and chocolate syrup. —
