This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated.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.

The Salt Lake Bees hit three solo home runs Saturday night but lost to the Round Rock Express 7-3. Salt Lake gave ups four runs in the third inning and could not recover. While the Bees' offense had its windows to get back into the game — especially with two runners on in the ninth — Nate Smith's poor outing on the mound made it difficult to overturn the early-game momentum. The Bees now trail 0-2 in their four-game series against the Express.

Turning Point • The third inning couldn't have started much better for the Bees (55-63). Smith recorded a lead-off strikeout and left fielder Daniel Ortega made a highlight-worthy one-handed catch for the second out. Then, Smith walked the third batter. After that, the Express (59-62) poured in four straight runs on a pair of RBIs and a costly E2.

Bees MVP • Cal Towey was one of three Bees players to hit a solo home run. The Bees first baseman finished 3-for-4 at the plate, and nearly led a fifth-inning surge that was deflated by the Express' best catch of the night.

Hidden Hero • Center fielder Carlos Perez finished 2-for-4 at the plate and bombed a solo home run to left field in the sixth that got the Bees within three runs.

Flashing Leather • Just before the Express blew the third inning wide open, Bees left fielder Daniel Nava tracked down a bullet of a line drive headed straight toward his ankles and seamlessly caught it with one hand for the second out.

Quoteworthy • "I'm only 32, I still feel great, feel strong," said former Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Andrew Bailey, who signed with the Angels organization on Saturday. "It's been a long road for me with all the injuries and the shoulder surgery … this is really my first year back. For me, it's just getting back to attacking the zone, feeling comfortable with all three pitches."

Angel Angle • The Angels called up Bees OF Nick Buss to replace Shane Robinson who was recently placed on the disabled list. Buss last appeared in the majors in 2013 with the Dodgers.

What's next • Sunday, Salt Lake vs. Round Rock, Chris Jones (5-9, 6.92) vs. Chi Chi Gonzalez (6-8, 5.08), 7:05 p.m. —

PCL Standings

American North W L Pct. GB

Okla. City (Dodgers) 67 52 .563 —

Colo. Springs (Brewers) 57 60 .487 9

Omaha (Royals) 51 67 .432 15½

Iowa (Cubs) 51 69 .425 16½

American South W L Pct. GB

Nashville (Athletics) 69 51 .575 —

Round Rock (Rangers) 59 62 .488 10½

Memphis (Cardinals) 58 62 .483 11

New Orleans (Marlins) 56 62 .475 12

Pacific North W L Pct. GB

Tacoma (Mariners) 70 50 .583 —

Fresno (Astros) 66 53 .555 3½

Reno (Diamondbacks) 63 57 .525 7

Sacramento (Giants) 56 64 .467 14

Pacific South W L Pct. GB

El Paso (Padres) 65 56 .537 —

Las Vegas (Mets) 57 63 .475 7½

Salt Lake (Angels) 55 63 .466 8½

Albuquerque (Rockies) 55 64 .462 9

Saturday's Games

Tacoma 6, Memphis 5

Albuquerque 13, Colorado Springs 7

Oklahoma City 4, El Paso 2

Reno at Nashville, 8 p.m.

Round Rock 7, Salt Lake 3

Iowa at Fresno, late

New Orleans at Las Vegas, late

Omaha at Sacramento, late

Sunday's games

Albuquerque at Colo. Springs, 1 p.m.

El Paso at Oklahoma City, 5 p.m.

Tacoma at Memphis, 5 p.m.

Reno at Nashville, 5 p.m.

Iowa at Fresno, 6 p.m.

Omaha at Sacramento, 6 p.m.

Round Rock at Salt Lake, 7 p.m.

New Orleans at Las Vegas, 8 p.m.