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Throughout their short history, the Albuquerque Isotopes have shown an affinity for late rallies.

They've scrapped, making improbable, dramatic wins. They've stumbled, falling to how'd-that-happen losses.

Now Albuquerque is closing in on a comeback which could land the franchise in the Pacific Coast League playoffs.

Having swept Omaha, the Isotopes return home tonight for a five-game homestand against Memphis. Winners of a season-high seven straight, Albuquerque holds a one-game lead in the PCL's American Southern Division over Oklahoma.

"They've raised their game a level," said Isotopes manager Dean Treanor, who led Albuquerque to its last postseason berth in 2003. "It's translated into more energy. There's just a different feel about this team now."

Different than, say, before the Aug. 3 game against Salt Lake when Albuquerque had dropped six of eight and fallen six games behind New Orleans. At one point, the Isotopes were in third place. Since then, Albuquerque has won 12 of 17 games.

Credit the most recent seven to the long ball. In the Omaha series, Albuquerque mashed 15 home runs in just four games, nearly breaking a 50-year-old PCL record during that stretch.

"We know this is in our hands," said Treanor, whose team will play nine of its final 13 games at home (Oklahoma has four home games left in that stretch and New Orleans five). "We just have to keep winning."

That hasn't always been easy. Twice before Albuquerque had chances to expand its division lead only to fall back into second each time this season.

You know how they love the drama of a rally.