This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

When the Bees left Salt Lake City last week for the start of an eight-game road trip, they were in first place.

When the Bees return to Smith's Ballpark on Friday night against the El Paso Chihuahuas — the opener of an eight-game homestand — they will still reside in first place.

Salt Lake is 11-4, not including Thursday night's trip-ending game at Fresno. The Bees continue to lead the Pacific Southern Division by two games over Albuquerque — the first time since 2013 they have been alone in first place.

The quick start has not been a Bees trademark over the last two years, when they finished with a combined record of 118-170 and failed to win more than 60 games.

So far, however, Salt Lake has gotten solid pitching and timely hitting. After pitchers Nick Tropeano and Greg Mahle were called up by the parent Los Angeles Angels, reliever Cam Bedrosian has come down and performed admirably.

In his first 6 1⁄3 innings with the Bees this season, Bedrosian allowed one run on four hits. He struck out 10 opposing batters.

Cody Satterwhite, who has given up only one hit in seven scoreless innings of relief, has also helped the Salt Lake bullpen post a 1.94 earned run average. The Bees are 11-1 when tied or leading after six innings. Their pitchers have earned a PCL-leading seven saves.

During the road trip, the Angels recalled outfielder Rafael Ortega, who had been extremely productive at the top of manager Keith Johnson's batting order.

Outfielder Nick Buss, however, has exploded at the plate.

After a 3-for-19 start this season, Buss has bumped his batting average to .309 with three homers and 12 RBIs. In the first seven games of the road trip, Buss had 10 hits, including seven for extra bases. He drove in 10 runs.

As a team, the Bees are hitting .290 with runners on base and an eye-popping .330 with runners in scoring position. —

Bees homestand

The schedule for the Bees' upcoming homestand at Smith's Ballpark:

Date Opponent Time

Saturday El Paso 6:35 p.m.

Sunday El Paso 1:05 p.m.

Monday El Paso 6:35 p.m.

Tuesday El Paso, 6:35 p.m.

April 28 Sacramento 6:35 p.m.

April 29 Sacramento 6:35 p.m.

April 30 Sacramento 6:35 p.m.

May 1 Sacramento 1:05 p.m.