This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated.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 Bees' four-game winning streak came to a screeching halt on Thursday night. Not only did the Bees score just two runs, their pitchers also had a season-worst outing at the mound, giving up a combined 23 runs on 21 hits at Smith's Ballpark in a 23-3 final. Tonight's blowout was just shy of a ball club-worst 28-5 deficit that the Bees suffered back in July 2006 against the Tucson Toros. Despite boasting a .500 record, the Grizzlies have now won eight of their last 10, while the Bees fell to 38-40 on the season after returning from an eight-game road trip.
Turning Point • The Grizzlies tacked on three more runs in the third after taking an early 2-1 lead. After Alex Bregman doubled to left to bring in the first score of the inning, Preston Tucker hit a two-run homer on a 1-1 count to deep right. The Grizzlies took a 5-1 lead heading into the fourth and only accelerated their momentum in the following innings.
Bees MVP • Sherman Johnson saved the Bees from getting blanked at home. With two outs and a full count on the board, Johnson took three more pitches before drawing the walk, scoring Todd Cunningham for one of the Bees' three runs of the night.
Hidden Hero • Ji-Man Choi, who normally plays in the infield, saw time in the outfield against the Grizzlies. While he was a part of the Bees' defensive collapse, he still finished 2-for-4 on the game, joining Cunningham and Rafael Ortega as the three Bees players to cross home plate.
Flashing Leather • With the game already out of hand in the fifth, second baseman Johnson chased down a hard grounder near second and threw the out at first, preventing the Grizzlies' seven-run inning from getting uglier.
Angel Angle • Catcher Geovany Soto began his weeklong rehabilitation assignment with the Bees Thursday night against the Grizzlies. Sidelined with a torn meniscus in his right knee since May, Soto expects to play five to six games in Salt Lake City before rejoining the Angels.
History Lesson • On June 30, 1997 Todd Walker equaled a franchise record with six hits, as he helped lead the Buzz to a 15-10 win over the Cannons at Calgary. Walker also tied a team mark with four doubles and drives in two runs for Salt Lake.
What's Next • Salt Lake (LHP Nate Smith, 5-2, 3.92) vs. Fresno (David Huff, 0-2, 7.23), Friday, 6:35 p.m. Radio: 1280 AM PCL Standings
American North W L Pct. GB
OklaCity (Dodgers) 43 36 .544
ColoSprings (Brewers) 38 38 .500 3½
Iowa (Cubs) 38 41 .481 5
Omaha (Royals) 32 46 .410 10½
American South W L Pct. GB
Nashville (Athletics) 47 34 .580
Round Rock (Rangers) 42 38 .525 4½
Memphis (Cardinals) 38 41 .481 8
New Orleans (Marlins) 37 40 .481 8
Pacific North W L Pct. GB
Tacoma (Mariners) 44 34 .564
Reno (Diamondbacks) 42 37 .532 2½
Fresno (Astros) 38 39 .494 5½
Sacramento (Giants) 33 47 .413 12
Pacific South W L Pct. GB
El Paso (Padres) 46 33 .582
Las Vegas (Mets) 41 37 .526 4½
Salt Lake (Angels) 38 39 .494 7
Albuquerque (Rockies) 31 48 .392 15
Thursday's games
Round Rock 4, Iowa 2
Round Rock 5, Iowa 4
Memphis 5, Omaha 2
Oklahoma City 7, Nashville 3
Fresno 23, Salt Lake 3
New Orleans at Colorado Springs, late
Reno at El Paso, late
Albuquerque at Sacramento, late
Las Vegas at Tacoma, late