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The Salt Lake Bees won its sixth game in a row, beating the Albuquerque Isotopes 7-3 on Thursday at Smith's Ballpark. Due in part to the Isotopes' defense, the Bees at one point had seven runs on five hits.
Turning Point • In the third, the Bees loaded the bases and scored the game's first run without a hit. A walk, fielder's choice and consecutive errors by Albuquerque's Daniel Descalso and Jeff Bianchi led to Kyle Kubitza scoring.
Bees MVP • Starting pitcher Chris Jones dominated the Isotopes' lineup with six shutout innings before allowing three runs in the seventh. Featuring an impressive array of fastballs, changeups and sliders, the lefty struck out eight.
Hidden Hero • With the Isotopes loading the bases in the seventh, relief pitcher David Carpenter struck out Jeff Bianchi and Daniel Descalso, preserving the lead.
Flashing Leather • With a runner on in the ninth, Bees' rightfielder Rafael Ortega almost made a diving catch on a bloop single by Brandon Barnes. Ortega, though, was heady enough to come up with the ball and from his knees throw to Gregorio Petit to retire the lead runner.
Quoteworthy • "We've found success offensively, we're not beating ourselves defensively and our pitchers are pitching to contact," manager Keith Johnson said.
history lesson • On May 12,2002, Robb Quinlan equaled a franchise record with eight RBIs as the Stingers beat Edmonton 19-2. Quinlan went 5-5 at the plate with an RBI single, a run-scoring double, and a pair of three-run homers.
What's next • Salt Lake Bees (21-13) LHP Chris O'Grady (0-0, 3.12) v Albuquerque Isotopes (18-17) LHP Ryan Carpenter (2-2, 4.63), 6:35 p.m. PCL Standings
American North W L Pct. GB
Okla. City (Dodgers) 19 13 .594 —
Omaha (Royals) 19 14 .576 —
Iowa (Cubs) 16 16 .500 3
Colo. Springs (Brewers) 13 18 .419 5½
American South W L Pct. GB
Round Rock (Rangers) 18 15 .545 —
Nashville (Athletics) 16 18 .471 2½
New Orleans (Marlins) 15 17 .469 2½
Memphis (Cardinals) 13 18 .419 4
Pacific North W L Pct. GB
Tacoma (Mariners) 19 14 .576 —
Reno (Diamondbacks) 14 18 .438 4½
Fresno (Astros) 14 18 .438 4½
Sacramento (Giants) 13 21 .382 6½
Pacific South W L Pct. GB
Salt Lake (Angels) 21 13 .618 —
Las Vegas (Mets) 17 15 .531 3
Albuquerque (Rockies) 18 17 .514 3½
El Paso (Padres) 16 16 .500 4
Thursday's Games
Nashville 7, Iowa 2
Omaha 15, Memphis 5
Oklahoma City 5, Round Rock 4
Salt Lake 7, Albuquerque 3
Colorado Springs at New Orleans, late
El Paso at Las Vegas, late
Reno at Sacramento, late
Tacoma at Fresno, late
Friday's Games
Colo. Springs at New Orleans, 6 p.m.
Memphis at Omaha, 6:05 p.m.
Okla. City at Round Rock, 6:05 p.m.
Nashville at Iowa, 6:08 p.m.
Albuquerque at Salt Lake, 6:35 p.m.
El Paso at Las Vegas, 8:05 p.m.
Reno at Sacramento, 8:05 p.m.
Tacoma at Fresno, 8:05 p.m.