Flores’ three-run homer helps 51s split at Albuquerque

Wilmer Flores hit a three-run homer in the seventh inning to power the 51s to a 6-3 victory over the Albuquerque Isotopes on Saturday in the second game of a day-night Pacific Coast League doubleheader in Albuquerque, N.M.

In the first game, Jamie Romak hit two home runs and drove in five runs to lead Albuquerque (41-49) to an 11-3 win. Both games were seven innings.

In the second game, Andrew Brown also homered for Pacific South Division-leading Las Vegas (52-38), a solo shot in the second inning that gave the 51s a 2-1 lead. Brown, Flores and Matt den Dekker had two hits apiece.

Flores also homered in the first game, a two-run shot in the sixth, and Cory Vaughn had a run-scoring single in the seventh.

Isotopes starter Steve Smith (2-4) took a no-hitter into the fifth inning of the first game and ultimately gave up two runs on four hits and no walks in six innings.

Trayvon Robinson hit Las Vegas starter Greg Peavey’s first pitch for a home run to kick off Albuquerque’s five-run first inning. The Isotopes also scored five in the third.

Peavey (1-4) permitted 11 runs on 14 hits and three walks and struck out seven in five innings.