Barry Enright pitches Isotopes to shutout victory

Trevor Story was the story going into Friday night’s Albuquerque Isotopes game.

Then Barry Enright upstaged him.

Considering that the Isotopes ended up with a 5-0 victory over the visiting Colorado Springs Sky Sox, it’s not like either of them were concerned who would get the headline.

Enright took a perfect game into the sixth inning before giving up a pair of two-out singles. Those would be the only two baserunners he would allow as Enright struck out five and did not allow a walk in six shutout frames.

Yet it was the two hits he recorded, not those that he gave up, that Enright talked about first.

“The two hits I got, after not hitting much for three years, I’m telling you, those pitches looked hard,” said Enright, who went 2-for-3 with an RBI. “I’m still upset myself, giving up the one-two, leaving one up and away.”

Enright is now in his second stint with the Isotopes after pitching for them while a Los Angeles Dodgers affiliate in 2014. He spent the subsequent two seasons with Tijuana of the Mexican League before joining the San Diego Padres organization this spring. Enright made two starts at Double-A San Antonio before the Rockies acquired him in a trade.

“I sat there for a month with San Diego in extended spring, waiting for an El Paso job to open up, which obviously didn’t happen,” Enright said. “To get an opportunity here is really a great thing. I’m very thankful that I got the call from the Rockies and now I’ve got to make the most of the opportunity.”

In two starts with the Isotopes (22-19), Enright has picked up two wins, allowing just five hits and striking out 10 in 11 2/3 innings. He has not walked a batter.

“Obviously with age comes a little bit of experience like with how to do with some things, whether it’s the mental side or dealing with the elements,” said Enright, who’s now 31. “I feel good out there right now.”

His manager certainly appreciated his contributions to the club so far.

“He looks like he’s on a mission,” Glenallen Hill said. “It’s so reflective of what we were preaching in spring training, in terms of pitch execution. It has nothing to do with stuff. He has been executing his pitches at a very high rate.”

While Enright was doing his job, Story was back to looking like the former phenom who last played for Albuquerque in 2015 en route to Denver. Batting second in the first game of his rehab assignment, Story went 2-for-3 with two runs, a solo home run, two RBI and a walk against Colorado Springs (23-14).

“He plays like he’s not supposed to be here,” Hill said with a laugh. “I’m glad local fans got to see a guy who’s one of the best shortstops in the game.”

Story’s excellent defense in the field was appreciated by his pitcher.

“He made some good plays, one of those plays in the hole to end the (fourth) inning, he made that look easy,” Enright said.

Catcher Anthony Bemboom went 2-for-3 with a monstrous solo home run to right field in the eighth inning.

The Isotopes will look to make it two in a row against the Sky Sox tonight at 7:05. Right-hander Matt Flemer (1-3, 7.40 ERA) gets the nod against Colorado Springs right-hander Hiram Burgos (2-3, 6.14).