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El Paso jumped to a three-run lead in the first inning Saturday night and cruised to a 12-1 victory over Salt Lake.
In front of 8,545 fans at Smith's Ballpark, the Chihuahuas improved their Pacific Coast League-leading record to 52-37.
Turning Point • Salt Lake left nine runners on base, including two in the first, third, fourth and sixth innings. The Bees went 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position, not including a sacrifice bunt and sacrifice fly.
Bees MVP • Infielder Ryan Jackson, who played third base in this game, went 2-for-3 with a walk. He bumped his batting average to .301 after improving to 6-for-17 against El Paso pitching this season.
Hidden Hero • After a rough start, Salt Lake pitcher Kyle McGowin allowed only one run on two hits over his final five innings of work. He saved wear and tear on a bullpen that needed a less-than-taxing night.
Flashing Leather • With two outs in the fourth, El Paso's Auston Bousfield hit a pop up down the right-field line. Salt Lake second baseman Sherman Johnson raced over and made a running catch in the Bees' bullpen.
Angel Angle • The Angels recalled catcher Geovany Soto and first baseman Ji-Man Choi on Saturday. Catcher Carlos Perez was optioned to Salt Lake, but he won't report until after the All-Star break.
Quoteworthy • After sending Perez to the Bees, Angels manager Mike Scioscia said, "It boils down to this. Carlos has to play to get his bat back to where it needs to be. So he needs to be down there playing and finding his stroke."
History lesson • On July 9, 2004, Adam Riggs hit for the cycle, but the Salt Lake Stingers suffered a 5-4 loss in 11 innings at Las Vegas. Dallas McPherson set a PCL record by striking out six times.
What's next • Sunday: El Paso (Michael Kelly, 4-0) vs. Salt Lake (Blayne Weller, 0-2), 7:05 p.m.
PCL Standings
American North W L Pct. GB
Okla. City (Dodgers) 51 37 .580
Colo. Springs (Brewers) 43 43 .500 7
Iowa (Cubs) 41 49 .456 11
Omaha (Royals) 38 50 .432 13
American South W L Pct. GB
Nashville (Athletics) 48 42 .533
Round Rock (Rangers) 46 44 .511 2
Memphis (Cardinals) 44 44 .500 3
New Orleans (Marlins) 43 44 .494 3½
Pacific North W L Pct. GB
Tacoma (Mariners) 47 40 .540
Reno (Diamondbacks) 46 43 .517 2
Fresno (Astros) 45 42 .517 2
Sacramento (Giants) 38 51 .427 10
Pacific South W L Pct. GB
El Paso (Padres) 52 37 .584
Las Vegas (Mets) 46 42 .523 5½
Salt Lake (Angels) 42 45 .483 9
Albuquerque (Rockies) 36 53 .404 16
Saturday's games
Oklahoma City 5, Omaha 1
Oklahoma City 9, Omaha 4
Memphis 4, Round Rock 1
Iowa 8, Colorado Springs 5
New Orleans 8, Nashville 6
El Paso 12, Salt Lake 1
Fresno 5, Reno 0
Reno at Fresno, late
Albuquerque at Las Vegas, late
Tacoma at Sacramento, late
Sunday's games
New Orleans at Nashville, 12:05 p.m.
Round Rock at Memphis, 12:35 p.m.
El Paso at Salt Lake, 1:05 p.m.
Iowa at Colorado Springs, 1:05 p.m.
Tacoma at Sacramento, 2:05 p.m.
Omaha at Oklahoma City, 4:05 p.m.