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The Salt Lake Bees took the finale of a five-game series with the Reno Aces by winning Saturday night's game, 9-1. Zach Nuding pitched into the sixth inning to get the win. The Bees, ahead 2-1, scored seven runs in the bottom of the sixth including a two-run double by Geovany Soto to put the game away.
Turning Point • Two grounders for the Bees in the sixth kicked off the home team's seven-run rally. With one run in and Salt Lake up 3-1, Quintin Berry's bounced a ball past Reno pitcher Daniel Gibson and then between the Aces' second baseman and shortstop to drive home Nick Buss. The next batter, Cal Towey, grounded a roller to make the score 5-1.
Bees MVP • Nuding, who entered the game with a Bees' earned run average of 6.87, got his first win for Salt Lake since April 9. He allowed just one hit over the first five innings, a roller through the middle by Dan Rohlfing in the third, and gave up just one earned run after exiting with one out in the sixth.
Flashing Leather • Going all the way to the warning track in the fifth, just in front of the 420' distance marker in dead center, Berry thwarted a long drive by Reno's Zach Borenstein. The out came with an Aces' runner on first with the Bees leading 2-0.
Hidden Hero • Berry also played a big role in both of Salt Lake's two runs in the second. He found the hole between shortstop and third base with a single to plate Buss. Berry then stole his 32nd base of the year to put himself in scoring position and then scored on a single by Ryan Jackson.
Angel Angle • It was "Salt Lake Angels" night at Smith's Ballpark, with the Bees trading out their nickname for the parent club's moniker and wearing the red and white colors of the Los Angeles Angels.
Quotable • "The bullpen came in and did their job. When it's time for me to go, it's time for me to go," said Nuding, who allowed only two hits, of his sixth-inning exit. "I could say, 'I'd like to have stayed.' But I also could have gone and ruined a good outing."
What's Next • Sunday, Reno vs. Salt Lake (Nate Smith 7-5), 7:05 p.m.,
PCL Standings
American North W L Pct. GB
Okla City (Dodgers) 63 49 .563
Colo Springs (Brewers) 54 57 .486 8½
Omaha (Royals) 50 63 .442 13½
Iowa (Cubs) 49 66 .426 15½
American South W L Pct. GB
Nashville (Athletics) 66 49 .574
Memphis (Cardinals) 55 58 .487 10
Round Rock (Rangers) 54 60 .474 11½
New Orleans (Marlins) 52 60 .464 12½
Pacific North W L Pct. GB
Tacoma (Mariners) 66 47 .584
Fresno (Astros) 63 50 .558 3
Reno (Diamondbacks) 61 53 .535 5½
Sacramento (Giants) 53 61 .465 13½
Pacific South W L Pct. GB
El Paso (Padres) 63 51 .553
Las Vegas (Mets) 56 58 .491 7
Salt Lake (Angels) 52 59 .468 9½
Albuquerque (Rockies) 48 64 .429 14
Saturday's games
Memphis 6, Omaha 5
Nashville 5, Colorado Springs 2
Iowa 6, New Orleans 1
Salt Lake 9, Reno 1
Albuquerque 9, Sacramento 2
Tacoma 7, El Paso 5
Fresno at Las Vegas, late
Round Rock at Oklahoma City, late
Sunday's games
Oklahoma City at Iowa, 3 p.m.
Colorado Springs at Omaha, 4 p.m.
Memphis at New Orleans, 5 p.m.
Nashville at Round Rock, 5 p.m.
Fresno at El Paso, 6 p.m.
Las Vegas at Albuquerque, 6 p.m.
Sacramento at Tacoma, 7 p.m.
Salt Lake at Reno, 7 p.m.