EL PASO, Texas (KFOX 14, CBS4) — The El Paso Chihuahuas fell 8-4 to the Albuquerque Isotopes at Southwest University Park in their 2026 season opener.
El Paso falls to 5-5. Albuquerque moves to 4-6.
Fans packed into the ballpark for the home opener with some lining up outside the gates as early as 2pm in the afternoon.
In the first inning, the Isotopes jumped out to an early 2-0 lead courtesy of RBIs from Sterlin Thompson and Zac Veen. Blaine Crim and Ryan Ritter both homered for Albuquerque, as the Isotopes would go on to take a 8-0 lead. The Chihuahuas finally got on the board when Jose Miranda drove in Nick Solak with an RBI single. However, the comeback attempt was too little-too late and Albuquerque closed out the 8-4 victory.
For El Paso, Sean Boyle pitched 3.1 innings and surrendered 6 runs without a strikeout.
Jase Bowen was 1 for 5 with 2 RBIs.
For Albuquerque, Sean Sullivan pitched 4.0 innings, giving up one earned run and struck out three.
On Wednesday, the Chihuahuas and Isotopes will face off in game two of the six game series that will wrap up on Sunday.