The Bees were a swing and a miss away from extra innings, but in the bottom of the ninth, outfielder Terry Evans answered their prayers.

His line drive to center gave All-Pacific Coast League first baseman Mark Trumbo just enough time to hustle from second to home plate for the winning run in an 8-7 victory.

"I was thinking, 'We're gonna win this game,'" Trumbo said. "You have to score in that situation."

It was a fitting ending for a Bees (70-69) team that has highlighted their three-game winning streak with dramatic conclusions. During a series against Fresno (73-66) that has seen the longest game of the season and a 10-inning battle, the crowd of 5,209 got yet another exciting finish.

The Bees jumped ahead 6-2 on a five-run fourth inning, highlighted by a controversial Trumbo two-run home run. The towering 450-foot shot down the right field line was initially called foul, but after a two-minute umpire huddle, it was ruled a home run.

"It was way fair — it wasn't even marginal," said manager Bobby Mitchell, who was serving as third base coach when Trumbo made the hit. "[Reviewing the home run] was the fair thing to do."

But gradually, the four-run lead crumbled as the Bees' pitchers struggled. The Grizzlies eventually tied the game in the eighth, leading to a tense final stretch.

"We're gaining momentum," Mitchell said. "These types of games give you confidence."

The playoff chase is coming to a sharp end. The Bees have only five games remaining to catch up to Tacoma, which leads Salt Lake by 2.5 games.

But there are signs of life.

With the home run highlighting his offensive performance, Trumbo continues to lead the Pacific Coast League in homers and RBI. Even on a night when Bees pitchers surrendered 17 hits, the defense played well enough to win the nail-biter.

Raptors 6, Chukars 2 • At Ogden, Leon Landry singled home Jonathan Garcia and Chris Henderson to cap a three-run sixth inning to carry Ogden to the win.

Ghosts 11, Owlz 6 • At Orem, Casper erupted for five runs in the fourth and fifth innings to overcome a 4-0 Orem lead in Pioneer League play. —

Storylines Bees 8, Grizzlies, 7

R Salt Lake wins in the ninth on Terry Evans' game-winning RBI.

• Bees are able to cut division-leading Tacoma's lead to 21/2 games with five to play.

• In a rough night for the pitching staff, the Bees surrender 17 hits to Fresno.