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Wearing retro jerseys in homage to their days as the Buzz, Salt Lake was unable to maintain a two-run lead, dropping the series finale to the New Orleans Zephyrs 5-3. Although the Bees outhit their opponent 10-6 and threatened in the bottom of the ninth inning with the winning run at the plate, Daniel Nava struck out to the dismay of the 10,620 in attendance.
Turning Point • In the top of the ninth with the game tied at 3, Bees' relief pitcher Javy Guerra's leadoff walk to Matt Juengel would prove costly. Following a Tomas Telis single, Juengel advanced to third and scored on a groundout.
Bees MVP • Left fielder Rafael Ortega had four hits, including two doubles, and was a home run short of the cycle. Ortega scored two of the Bees' (56-68) three runs, both times being driven in by first baseman Nava.
Hidden Hero • Right fielder Cal Towey continued his torrid hitting streak, with two hits. Towey has reached base safely in six of the past seven games and is batting .474 (9-19) during the span.
Flashing Leather • In the top of the second, Bees' catcher Anthony Bemboom darted past home plate to cut off a late throw home by Cal Towey. Recognizing that the Zephyrs' (66-60) Tomas Telis was attempting to stretch a single into a double, Bemboom fired a laser to Brendan Ryan for the 9-2-6 putout.
Angel Angle • Nick Buss, who spent the majority of the season patrolling the Bees' outfield, has made a splash with the Angels. In 21 at-bats, Buss has recorded seven hits for a stellar .333 average.
What's next • Salt Lake Bees (RHP Tim Lincecum, 0-2, 3.80) at El Paso Chihuahuas (RHP Carlos Pimentel, 11-7, 6.10), 7:05 p.m. Saturday. PCL Standings
American North W L Pct. GB
Okla. City (Dodgers) 70 55 .560
Colo. Springs (Brewers) 60 62 .492 8½
Iowa (Cubs) 57 69 .452 13½
Omaha (Royals) 54 70 .435 15½
American South W L Pct. GB
Nashville (Athletics) 72 54 .571
Round Rock (Rangers) 62 64 .492 10
New Orleans (Marlins) 61 63 .492 10
Memphis (Cardinals) 60 66 .476 12
Pacific North W L Pct. GB
Tacoma (Mariners) 72 53 .576
Fresno (Astros) 67 58 .536 5
Reno (Diamondbacks) 68 59 .535 5
Sacramento (Giants) 58 68 .460 14½
Pacific South W L Pct. GB
El Paso (Padres) 66 60 .524
Albuquerque (Rockies) 59 66 .472 6½
Las Vegas (Mets) 59 67 .468 7
Salt Lake (Angels) 56 68 .459 9
Friday's games
Albuquerque 1, Oklahoma City 0
Reno 5, Memphis 2
New Orleans 5, Salt Lake 3
El Paso at Colorado Springs, ppd.
Tacoma at Nashville, late
Iowa at Sacramento, late
Omaha at Fresno, late
Round Rock at Las Vegas, late
Saturday's Games
Okla. City at New Orleans, 5 p.m.
Colo. Springs at Round Rock, 5:05 p.m.
Nashville at Omaha, 6:05 p.m.
Memphis at Iowa, 6:08 p.m.
Fresno at Albuquerque, 7:05 p.m.
Salt Lake at El Paso, 7:05 p.m.
Las Vegas at Tacoma, 8:05 p.m.
Sacramento at Reno, 8:05 p.m.