Isotopes Pitcher Gabriel Hughes Shines as Team Ends Homerless Streak

Cole Carrigg's straight steal of home highlights busy week on the diamond for Albuquerque Isotopes

Apr. 7, 2026 at 1:52am

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting featuring overlapping geometric shapes and planes in vibrant colors, conceptually representing the dynamic action and energy of a baseball game.A cubist interpretation of the Isotopes' pitching and baserunning highlights, capturing the dynamic energy of the game through fragmented geometric forms.Albuquerque Today

Albuquerque Isotopes pitcher Gabriel Hughes has gotten off to a strong start this season, striking out 14 batters over 10.1 innings and posting a 2.61 ERA in his first two outings. The Isotopes also ended a six-game homerless streak, with catcher Andrew Kizener hitting a home run in the eighth inning on Sunday. Additionally, outfielder Cole Carrigg made headlines with a straight steal of home, just the third such occurrence in franchise history.

Why it matters

The Isotopes are the Triple-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, so Hughes' strong start is an encouraging sign for the Rockies' future. The team's ability to end its homerless streak at Isotopes Park, known as a hitter-friendly ballpark, is also noteworthy. Carrigg's steal of home showcases the team's athleticism and aggressiveness on the basepaths.

The details

Gabriel Hughes, the Rockies' 2022 first-round draft pick out of Gonzaga, has been impressive in his first two starts for the Isotopes. He struck out 14 batters over 10.1 innings, posting a 2.61 ERA. The Isotopes also ended a six-game homerless streak, the longest such drought in franchise history, when Kizener hit a home run in the eighth inning on Sunday. Outfielder Cole Carrigg made headlines with a straight steal of home, just the third such occurrence in Isotopes history.

  • On April 4, Hughes struck out 7 batters over 5.1 innings against the Reno Aces.
  • On April 9, Hughes struck out 7 batters over 5 innings against the Reno Aces.
  • On April 16, Kizener hit a home run in the eighth inning to end the Isotopes' six-game homerless streak.
  • On April 15, Carrigg stole home in the Isotopes' 5-4 win over the Reno Aces.

The players

Gabriel Hughes

A former first-round draft pick of the Colorado Rockies in 2022 out of Gonzaga, Hughes is on the Rockies' 40-man roster and is expected to start games in Denver this season.

Cole Carrigg

The Isotopes' center fielder/shortstop, Carrigg made headlines with a straight steal of home, just the third such occurrence in franchise history.

Andrew Kizener

The Isotopes' catcher, Kizener hit a home run in the eighth inning on April 16 to end the team's six-game homerless streak.

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What they’re saying

“I know what Gabe is all about. I'm interested — last year, I saw (Hughes) for the first time in spring training and I like what I saw. Really good mix of pitches.”

— Pedro Lopez, Isotopes Manager

“Carrigg's straight steal of home in Saturday's 5-4 Isotopes win over Reno was just the third such occurrence in franchise history.”

— Josh Suchon, Isotopes Play-by-Play Announcer

What’s next

The Isotopes will continue their six-game series against the El Paso Chihuahuas, the Triple-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres, from April 18-23.

The takeaway

Gabriel Hughes' strong start on the mound, the Isotopes' ability to end their homerless drought, and Cole Carrigg's daring steal of home all highlight the team's promising start to the 2026 season. As the Rockies' top affiliate, the Isotopes' performance will be closely watched as a barometer for the major league club's future.