Topes Notes: Guns & Hoses charity game returns to Isotopes Park on Friday

For the second consecutive year, the Guns & Hoses charity softball game to benefit Special Olympics New Mexico is being played Friday at Isotopes Park.

The traditional matchup of law enforcement vs. fire fighters in this game includes Special Olympics athletes joining each team.

The game will be played on the field at Isotopes Park as fans are entering the stadium for Friday night’s Isotopes game (gates open at 5 p.m., softball starts at 5:15 p.m. and Isotopes first pitch is at 6:35 p.m.).

“Special Olympics New Mexico is incredibly grateful to Bernalillo County Fire Rescue, the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, and the Albuquerque Isotopes for coming together to support Special Olympics athletes and families through the 2nd Annual Guns and Hoses Softball Game,” Barbara Love, Law Enforcement Torch Run Liason for New Mexico Special Olympics, said in a statement. “Events like this do so much more than raise funds — they bring our community together and create opportunities for our athletes to develop healthy habits, friendships, and a sense of dignity achieved by doing your best and being brave in the attempt.

“Every ticket purchased, every raffle entry, and every show of support helps us continue changing lives across New Mexico, and we’re excited to welcome everyone out for an evening of friendly competition and community spirit.”

The Isotopes have been longtime supporters of New Mexico Special Olympics, last year making possible the annual law enforcement/firefighter charity softball game not only happen in the stadium on the night of a game with fans in the stands, but also doing so with Special Olympic athletes taking part.

“It’s an honor for the Isotopes organization to work alongside Special Olympics New Mexico and our local first responders in bringing the pre-game Guns‑n‑Hoses Charity Softball Game to life,” said Isotopes general manager Chrissy Baines. “This event represents the very best of our community — coming together, having fun, and raising meaningful funds to support these incredible athletes. We’re grateful for the partnership, proud to stand with Special Olympics New Mexico, and excited to help make a lasting impact.”

Trivia time!

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QUESTION: The Isotopes have stolen a Pacific Coast League-leading 143 bases this season through 96 games and are on pace for a franchise record 223 this season, given their current rate of 1.49 per game.

Though it will almost assuredly fall this season, what is the Isotopes’ single season stolen bases record (for now)?

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ANSWER: See below...

Know the foe

The Isotopes remain at Rio Grande Credit Union Field this week, Tuesday through Sunday, for a six-game Pacific Coast League set against the Round Rock Express.

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Isotopes, Triple-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, 47-49 overall (6th), 8-13 2nd half (9th)

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Round Rock Express, Triple-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, 42-54 overall (t-9th), 11-10 2nd half (5th)

Like the long ball?

This week’s series features the two pitching staffs that have allowed the most and second-most home runs in the PCL this season. Round Rock has allowed a league-worst 129 while the 122 surrendered by Isotopes pitchers is the second-most.

Reinforcements?

The Rockies and Los Angeles Dodgers announced a trade on Monday, sending to the Dodgers RHP Seth Halvorsen for minor leaguers OF Landyn Vidourek and RHP Nick Frasso.

While Vidourek is a 2025 third-round pick and ranked by MLB Pipeline as the Dodgers’ No. 25 prospect, he’s reporting to Sigle-A Fresno and is probably not Albuquerque-bound until next season. But Frasso, who was on the Dodger's 40-man roster but has played entirely this season with Triple-A Oklahoma City, will report to the Isotopes this week. He has a 4.74 ERA with 40 strikeouts and 17 walks in 24.2 innings this season.

Did you hear that?

Public relations coordinator Joe Traub was on the radio and MILB.tv call for the Isotopes over the weekend (Saturday and Sunday's games) while regular broadcast guru Josh Suchon was up the road calling a pair of Colorado Rockies games for the big league club, getting a vacation fill-in call-up.

Three up, three down

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

Looking good:

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OF Jordan Beck has hit all five of his 2026 Tripla-A home runs in the past 13 games. In his first 54 games with Albuquerque (parts of 2024, 2025 and this season), he hit nine home runs.

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A reported 301,515 fans have walked through the gates at Isotopes Park this season over 45 games (6,700 per game) — leading the PCL in total and average attendance.

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1B/OF Charlie Condon leads the PCL in first-pitch home runs with nine. The next- closest is teammate OF Zac Veen with six. No other player in the league has more than five.

Look away:

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The Isotopes went hitless with runners in scoring position in two of their last three games this past series vs. Sacramento and have done so 14 times this season.

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Albuquerque is the only team in the league surrendering a .300 batting average at home. Opponents have hit .301 in Isotopes Park.

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The Isotopes lost two of the three games they played against Sacramento in their recent post-All Star break abbreviated series. It’s Albuquerque’s second consecutive series loss and the first home series loss to the River Cats since May of 2019.

Fast food

The all-star break is over. Taco's embarrassing season is not.

2026 Season Standings (44 races):

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14 wins — Salsa Jar

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13 wins — Red Chile

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10 wins — Green Chile

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7 wins — Taco

Homestand highlights

Here's a brief look at what the Isotopes have cookin' in the promotions and giveaways department this week. Games have a scheduled 6:35 p.m. first pitch, unless noted.

The Topes are back tomorrow! Who's ready for six more? ⚾️

️ https://t.co/QgOkGL7r4mpic.twitter.com/jLavziPmXW

— Albuquerque Isotopes (@ABQTopes) July 20, 2026

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Specialty food item of the homestand: Chicken quesadillas, available at the Bullpen Cart by section 109.

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Tuesday: $1 hot dogs

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Thursday (first pitch 12:05 p.m.): Day baseball!

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Friday: First 2,000 fans get an Isotopes duffle bag. Gates open at 5 as the Guns & Hoses, law enforcement/firefighter charity softball game benefitting Special Olympics is played on field at 5:15 ahead of the Isotopes game.

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Saturday: Green Chile Cheeseburgers night with team wearing food-centric alter ego uniforms and Blake's green chile cheeseburgers being sold around the stadium. Postgame fireworks.

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Sunday (1:35 p.m. first pitch): Lunchbag giveaway for first 2,000 fans.

Trivia answer

The Isotopes franchise record for stolen bases in a season is 186 in 2024. That is a rate of 1.24 stolen bases per game. This year's team is stealing bases at a clip of 1.49 per game.

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