This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Salt Lake City • The Bees' lack of defense surrendered their second straight loss to the Memphis Redbirds, 13-4. On the season, the Bees are 2-29 when allowing an opponent more than seven runs.
The Bees dropped the series to the Redbirds 3-1 after struggling to recover after a big jump-off. The Redbirds served a quick, lopsided 5-0 lead after two.
In his first game back with the Bees, Wade LeBlanc allowed six hits in four innings. LeBlanc said it felt good to be back in Salt Lake after a short stint with the New York Yankees.
"Anytime a team lets you know that they like what you do and what you bring to the table, and wants you around, it's a good feeling," said LeBlanc on Thursday afternoon after batting practice.
Although LeBlanc said the goal is to stay in the big leagues, returning to the Bees is not that bad.
"Salt Lake is not a bad place to be if you can't be in the big leagues," said LeBlanc. This is his first time playing with the Bees since May 21, and more than two weeks since he last pitched in a game.
The Bees attempted to push the momentum in their favor in the fourth. John Hester singled to center field and Roberto Lopez scored. The Redbirds maintained the lead at 5-1.
Brennan Boesch and the Bees tried a second time to shake up the pace of the game. With one out, Boesch slammed a two-run homer to left field. The Bees came within four with a 7-3 score.
Although only 1 for 5 Friday, Boesch has been red hot in the month of June. He has hit five homers in his last five games and has at least one RBI in eight straight games.
Following in Boesch's footsteps, Zach Bronstein doubled off the center-field wall to allow Roberto Lopez across home plate. The Bees inched within striking distance with a 7-4 score but it would prove not enough.
The ninth inning was a nightmare for the Bees. The Redbirds knocked a six-run inning to put the nail in the coffin on a dominating performance, 13-4. Memphis scored 13 runs without a home run.