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The Salt Lake Bees (47-50) entered Friday night riding a four-game winning streak on the road. But after starting pitcher Nate Smith gave up five runs in the third including a two-run homer the Bees dropped their opener of a four-game home stand, 8-3 to the Tacoma Rainiers (56-41). The Bees gave up 14 total hits.
Turning Point • After a lead off double and a pair of RBIs in the third, Rainiers outfielder Stefen Romero slammed a two-run homer to left center field. The Rainiers entered the fourth with a comfortable 6-1 lead.
Bees MVP • Kaleb Cowart had another productive outing at the plate. The recent Triple-A All-Star selection went 3-for-4 and recorded the Bees' only RBI of the game.
Hidden Hero • The Rainiers led 8-1 going into the final inning, but that didn't stop Bees reliever Lucas Luetge from pitching a notable inning: Luetge led the charge on a 1-2-3 inning, striking out three consecutive batters.
Flashing Leather • With a 2-1 lead and gaining momentum in the third, the Rainier's Guillermo Heredia hit a ball to shallow right. Right fielder Nick Buss timed his sprint from the outfield, slid on his knees near the first baseline and robbed the hit in an inning where the Rainiers poured on five total runs.
Angel Angle • Tyler Skaggs, who was recently named the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week, was with the Bees Friday night. But according to the Los Angeles Times, Skaggs and right-hander Jhoulys Chacin are in the running to replace an injured Nick Tropeano as the fifth starter in the rotation by next Tuesday.
History Lesson • July 22, 1997: The Buzz rallied with four runs in the ninth to tie Las Vegas and needed four more in the bottom of the 10th to edge the Stars 15-14. Jon Shave tied the game with a run, scoring single, and Ryan Radmanovich drove in Shave with the game winning run on an RBI single.
What's next • Saturday: Tacoma (Zach Lee, 0-2) vs. Salt Lake (Chris Jones, 3-8), 6:35 p.m. PCL Standings
American North W L Pct. GB
Okla. City (Dodgers) 56 42 .571
Colo. Springs (Brewers) 44 51 .463 10½
Omaha (Royals) 43 54 .443 12½
Iowa (Cubs) 43 56 .434 13½
American South W L Pct. GB
Nashville (Athletics) 54 45 .545
Round Rock (Rangers) 49 50 .495 5
Memphis (Cardinals) 46 51 .474 7
New Orleans (Marlins) 46 51 .474 7
Pacific North W L Pct. GB
Tacoma (Mariners) 55 42 .567
Reno (Diamondbacks) 53 45 .541 2½
Fresno (Astros) 51 45 .531 3½
Sacramento (Giants) 43 56 .434 13
Pacific South W L Pct. GB
El Paso (Padres) 57 41 .582
Las Vegas (Mets) 50 47 .515 6½
Salt Lake (Angels) 47 49 .490 9
Albuquerque (Rockies) 43 55 .439 14
Tuesday's Games
Iowa at Memphis, ppd.
Oklahoma City 8, New Orleans 5
Tacoma 8, Salt Lake 3
Omaha at Nashville, late
Round Rock at Colorado Springs, late
Albuquerque at Fresno, late
El Paso at Sacramento, late
Reno at Las Vegas, late