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After nine straight games against Reno, the Salt Lake Bees got to see a new opponent Round Rock on Friday night at Smith's Ballpark. But the Express probably had the home team longing to see the Aces again as Round Rock blew out the Bees 14-2.
Turning Point • The tide turned quick against Bees' pitcher Zach Nuding, when Jared Hoying wrapped a home run around the right-field pole in the second inning. Round Rock's Ryan Rua had singled one batter before and Hoying's shot gave the visitors a 2-0 lead which was extended to five by the end of the frame.
Bees MVP • Sherman Johnson's home run for the Bees in the second inning was a towering shot to right center. Jackson then cracked another shot over the right-field fence in the ninth inning.
Assignment woes • One player with whom the Bees' pitching staff had little difficulty for most of the game was Joey Gallo, who did draw walks in the eighth and ninth, but was 0-for-4 with four strikeouts on the night.
Flashing Leather • A potential rally by Salt Lake in the fifth was partially stifled by Round Rock third baseman Matt Duffy. After Cal Towey drew a walk and Brendan Ryan bunt singled, the Bees' Rafael Ortega cracked a hard line drive that Duffy snared for an out.
Hidden hero • Buried in the barrage of runs by the visitors, Nick Buss had a pair of hits for the Bees, including an RBI-double to score Carlos Perez, who also doubled, in the sixth.
Angel Angle • On a rehab stint, former University of Utah player C.J. Cron had three at-bats while playing first base for the Bees. Cron was 0-for-3 with two strikeouts at the plate. Tim Lincecum, after being assigned by the Angels, is tentatively scheduled to start Monday night against Round Rock.
What's next • Chris Jones (5-9, 6.92) pitching for the Bees and Chi Chi Gonzalez (6-8, 5.08) going for the Express on Saturday at 6:35 p.m.
PCL Standings
American North W L Pct. GB
Okla. City (Dodgers) 66 52 .559
Colo. Springs (Brewers) 57 58 .496 7½
Omaha (Royals) 51 66 .436 14½
Iowa (Cubs) 51 68 .429 15½
American South W L Pct. GB
Nashville (Athletics) 69 51 .575
Memphis (Cardinals) 58 61 .487 10½
Round Rock (Rangers) 57 62 .479 11½
New Orleans (Marlins) 55 62 .470 12½
Pacific North W L Pct. GB
Tacoma (Mariners) 69 50 .580
Fresno (Astros) 65 53 .551 3½
Reno (Diamondbacks) 63 57 .525 6½
Sacramento (Giants) 55 64 .462 14
Pacific South W L Pct. GB
El Paso (Padres) 65 55 .542
Las Vegas (Mets) 57 62 .479 7½
Salt Lake (Angels) 55 62 .470 8½
Albuquerque (Rockies) 53 64 .453 10½
Friday's Games
Oklahoma City 8, El Paso 4
Nashville 10, Reno 0
Memphis 3, Tacoma 1
Round Rock 14, Salt Lake 2
Albuquerque at Colorado Springs, late
Iowa at Fresno, late
New Orleans at Las Vegas, late
Omaha at Sacramento, late
Saturday's Games
Tacoma at Memphis, 5 p.m.
Albuquerque at Colo. Springs, 6 p.m.
El Paso at Oklahoma City, 6 p.m.
Reno at Nashville, 6 p.m.
Round Rock at Salt Lake, 6:35 p.m.
Iowa at Fresno, 8 p.m.
New Orleans at Las Vegas, 8 p.m.
Omaha at Sacramento, 8 p.m.