The numbers don't lie. Then again, they don't always tell the whole story.

Take the Salt Lake Bees (57-67) staff earned-run average, which, during the past 10 games coming into Tuesday's 7-3 loss to visiting Iowa (56-68) at Spring Mobile Ballpark, was less than stellar.

Salt Lake has been allowing earned runs at seven a game, which was quite a clip. On closer inspection, however, nearly half of those runs were scored in two games, including 19 in a loss at Albuquerque.

It's amazing how much of a difference those two games make. In the other eight games, the Bees' staff ERA is less than five, which is much more respectable.

Unfortunately, the offense, which had been sizzling, also cooled a bit, averaging less than six runs a game. No wonder Salt Lake, which had been on a small tear, played .500 baseball in a stretch that included back-to-back wins twice.

Salt Lake manager Keith Johnson remains confident the Bees will remain competitive.

"There's always something to play for," he said. "When they're in the lineup they have always competed the best they can. It hasn't always shown up in the win column ... but they always bounce back."

Iowa took advantage Tuesday of a bullpen day for the Bees, or, as it is called, a Johnny Allstaff night. With Eric Junge on the disabled list, four bullpen pitchers picked up the slack.

Jerome Williams and Wednesday's starter Bear Bay have been Salt Lake's most consistent starters. Williams is 2-0 with a 2.81 ERA, while Bay went 1-1 with a 3.46 ERA.

Among the everyday players, Jeremy Moore has been the hottest.

He has put together a stretch where batted .325 with eight runs driven in, 11 runs scored and four home runs. One of those four-baggers was an inside-the-park job.

Moore has also stolen home and scored from second on a fly ball out to right field.

Jeff Baisley, who had two RBI's Tuesday, had eight in the previous 10 games, while Hank Conger added seven. Tuesday, the numbers added up to a loss.

martyr@sltrib.com

Osprey 8, Owlz 2 • In Missoula, Mont., the Osprey scored six runs in the sixth and seventh innings in Pioneer League action.

Brewers 7, Raptors 4 • In Helena, Mont., Ogden's David Wingo went 2-for-2 with three RBIs and a home run, but it wasn't enough against Helena in Pioneer League play. —

Iowa 7, Salt Lake 3

R Salt Lake leaves the bases loaded in the seventh inning.

• The Bees are within one strike of ending the sixth, but Iowa scores three runs with two out.

• Jeff Baisley continues his march toward 100 RBIs with two more Tuesday for 91 total.