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Zephyrs, 51s, Sidewinders and Bees banded together in the past two weeks to pound the Isotopes out of the top spot in the Pacific Coast League's American Southern Division.

In a blur, Albuquerque dropped 6 games in the standings, slipping from first to third, where it remained after Sunday night's 6-4 win over Colorado Springs.

Perhaps more frustrating to the Isotopes have been recent losses to - as Isotopes manager Dean Treanor says - The Schedule.

"It's not good for us," Treanor said of two games that were effectively canceled because of rain. "We've lost two games to the schedule. We're not able to make those up."

The two lost games were series finales - July 31 at Tucson and Saturday against Salt Lake City. Since the Isotopes don't play those teams any more this season they are simply chopped from the docket.

Similar rain cancellations happen all over minor league baseball. These could be especially damaging to the Isotopes because they might give first-place New Orleans and second-place Oklahoma an advantage.

So far, New Orleans has lost one game to cancellation. Oklahoma has lost none. Both teams might have opportunities to win games Albuquerque doesn't.

"If you finish this thing and you're a half a game behind, it doesn't mean anything," Treanor said. "The season ends."

That's why the Isotopes and Bees were willing to wait 2 hours, hoping to play.

But the field was too soggy. Wasted was pitcher Kenny Baugh's spot in the rotation. He will pitch again when his next turn arises, even though he only had to work into the fourth inning on Saturday.

Treanor said the bullpen should get back on track after the Isotopes' scheduled off day Thursday.

Even so, the Albuquerque staff could lose its ace by then. Right-hander Daniel Barone (7-0) is a strong candidate to be called up by the Florida Marlins. The Isotopes parent club is short a starting pitcher after Byung-Hyun Kim was claimed of waivers by Arizona.

Multiple Miami newspapers reported either Barone (4.09 ERA) or Double-A pitcher Gaby Hernandez (7-8, 3.24 ERA) would be the likely replacement.

"I know he's in the mix," Treanor said of Barone. "(The Marlins) have to make a decision pretty quick because he's scheduled to pitch here (Wednesday)."