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The game • Salt Lake starter Nate Smith allowed one run in six innings Wednesday night, leading the Bees to a 7-3 victory over Tacoma. In front of 7,012 fans at Smith's Ballpark, the Salt Lake won for the fifth time in its ast seven games.
Turning point • In the bottom of the fourth inning, the Bees extended a 1-0 lead when Cal Towey doubled, Ryan Jackson walked, Anthony Bemboom doubled home a run and Daniel Nava doubled home two more.
Bees' MVP • Smith scattered seven hits over his six innings. He stranded six base runners, including three in scoring position. He won for the first time in four starts, going back to May 23, and bumped his record to 4-2.
Hidden hero • In the third game of what is expected to be a brief injury rehab assignment, Nava went 3-for-4 with a walk and two RBIs. In three games with the Bees, he is 7-for-12.
Flashing leather • Leading off the top of the second, Tacoma's Boog Powell chopped a slow roller toward second base. Salt Lake's Tim Arakawa charged, bare-handed the ball and threw to first in time for the out.
Quoteworthy • Nava, who has previously played with a handful of his temporary teammates in Salt Lake, said, "Not being completely out of your element … probably helps you play a little better."
Angel angle • The Angels announced first-round draft pick Matt Thaiss will spend the season at Orem. A catcher at the University of Virginia, Thaiss will primarily play first base for the Owlz, who open their Pioneer League season Friday at Grand Junction (Colo.).
History lesson • On June 15, 2001, Salt Lake tied a franchise record when three Stingers were hit by a pitch in the same inning during a 12-1 win at Sacramento. The hit batsmen: Angel Diaz, E.J. t'Hoen and Chris Pritchett.
What's Next • Thursday: Tacoma (Brad Mills, 2-1) vs. Salt Lake (Kyle McGowin, 3-2), 12:05 p.m.
PCL Standings
American North W L Pct. GB
Okla City (Dodgers) 33 31 .516
Iowa (Cubs) 31 32 .492 1½
Colo Springs (Brewers) 28 33 .459 3½
Omaha (Royals) 28 36 .438 5
American South W L Pct. GB
Nashville (Athletics) 40 26 .606
Round Rock (Rangers) 35 28 .556 3½
New Orleans (Marlins) 31 32 .492 7½
Memphis (Cardinals) 28 35 .444 10½
Pacific North W L Pct. GB
Tacoma (Mariners) 36 28 .563
Reno (Diamondbacks) 34 30 .531 2
Fresno (Astros) 28 35 .444 7½
Sacramento (Giants) 26 40 .394 11
Pacific South W L Pct. GB
El Paso (Padres) 38 26 .594
Las Vegas (Mets) 33 31 .516 5
Salt Lake (Angels) 31 32 .492 6½
Albuquerque (Rockies) 30 35 .462 8½
Wednesday's games
Omaha 6, Oklahoma City 5, 12 innings
Nashville 16, Memphis 3
Iowa 6, Colorado Springs 5
New Orleans at Round Rock, late
Albuquerque at El Paso, late
Salt Lake 7, Tacoma 3
Fresno at Sacramento, late
Reno at Las Vegas, late
Thursday's games
Tacoma at Salt Lake, 12:05 p.m.
Memphis at Nashville, 6:05 p.m.
New Orleans at Round Rock, 6:05 p.m.
Omaha at Oklahoma City, 6:05 p.m.
Albuquerque at El Paso, 7:05 p.m.
Iowa at Colorado Springs, 7:05 p.m.
Fresno at Sacramento, 8:05 p.m.
Reno at Las Vegas, 8:05 p.m.