Los Angeles Angels prospect David Fletcher arrived at Smith's Ballpark a little less than two hours before stepping into the starting lineup for his Triple-A debut for the Salt Lake Bees on Saturday night. Fletcher, a shortstop who doubled in his first at-bat, wasn't enough to get the Bees over the hump as they dropped their second consecutive game to the Sacramento River Cats, 4-3, in front of an announced 11,442.
Fletcher, who the Angels drafted in the sixth round of the 2015 draft, came into this season rated by Baseball America as the 12th-best prospect in the Angels' farm system entering the season. He went 1 for 4 and doubled down the right-field line in the second inning. Jefry Marte collected three hits in the loss.
Turning Point • The Bees (50-43) scored two runs in the eighth to pull within one, but Cesar Puello grounded out with the tying run on third to end the inning and stop the momentum.
Bees MVP • Jefry Marte went 3 for 4 to collect three of the team's eight hits.
Hidden Hero • Eric Young Jr. went 1 for 4 with his lone hit coming to drive in the team's third run in the eight inning.
Quoteworthy • "It was a guy I played with in the fall league," Fletcher said of facing Sacramento pitcher Chris Stratton in his first at-bat. "I played behind him. I was just looking for something out off the plate to drive the other way, and I got one."
Angel Angle • Bees pitcher Parker Bridwell rejoined the Angels, according to the Orange County Register. He's not expected to be added to the roster until Sunday. Bridwell last pitched for the Bees on July 9, when he tossed six innings against Albuquerque.
History lesson • Former Angels general manager Bill Stoneman and former player Wally Joyner threw out ceremonial first pitches as part of Angels Night at Smith's Ballpark. Stoneman served as general manager when the Angels won the 2002 World Series. He was the team's GM from the end of the 1999 season through the 2007 season. Joyner, a third-round draft pick of the Angels in 1983 out of BYU, played seven season with the Angels.
What's next • The Bees and River Cats conclude their four-game series on Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m.