Isotopes edge Express 4-3 on Adael Amador’s ninth-inning hit

Adael Amador snapped a deadlock in the ninth inning Thursday night, lining a single to left that brought home Charlie Condon and lifted the Albuquerque Isotopes past the Round Rock Express 4-3. Round Rock had already answered Albuquerque once and came up empty in its final chance when Andrew Baker struck out the side.

Albuquerque struck first with a fast, clean burst in the opening inning. Ryan Ritter and Sterlin Thompson opened with back-to-back singles, and Vimael Machín turned that traffic into a 2-0 lead with a triple to left-center that cleared the bases. Round Rock punched back immediately when John Taylor drove a solo homer in the bottom of the first, trimming the margin to 2-1, and that swing was measured at 107.2 mph off the bat, the third-hardest-hit homer by an Express player this season.

After the opening exchange, Albuquerque pushed ahead 3-2 through three innings, then José Herrera tied it in the fourth with a single that scored Orlando Martinez from third. That was the last time the Express broke through, and Albuquerque’s staff held them scoreless over the next five innings.

Condon, the Rockies’ No. 2 prospect, had a three-hit night and doubled to open the inning before Amador’s single settled the scoreline for good. Baker, a 26-year-old right-hander from Montgomery, Alabama, then finished Round Rock without allowing a rally, earning his first Triple-A win after entering with six saves and a 3.14 ERA in 26 appearances for Albuquerque this season.

Jordan Montgomery’s rehab assignment continued with a two-inning start, his third outing since recovering from Tommy John surgery, while Josh Stephan worked out of the bullpen for the first time this season and only the ninth relief appearance of his minor league career. Montgomery allowed three hits and two runs while striking out three, and Stephan gave the Express five innings in relief, allowing one run and striking out four.