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The Salt Lake Bees took it on the chin in a pair of losses to the El Paso Chihuahuas in a doubleheader on Sunday at Smith's Ballpark. They were held scoreless for the first time this season in a 3-0 loss in the first game, and then they were tagged for 12 runs on 14 hits (six extra-base hits) in a 12-3 loss in the second game.
The first game included Bees relief pitcher Justin Miller getting ejected prior to his first pitch for what manager Keith Johnson called a "miscommunication" with the umpire closest to the bullpen. The game also saw the end of a hitting streak for Eric Young Jr. (done at 14 games), and on-base streaks for Matt Williams (12 games) and Shane Robinson (17 games). The Bees had just three hits in the first game. In Game 2, El Paso scored six runs in the first two innings and tacked on six more in the top of the seventh after the Bees had pulled within three runs.
Turning Point • El Paso's four-run first inning of Game 2 effectively stomped out the hopes of the Bees salvaging a split in the doubleheader. Six of the first seven batters of the game reached base, and four of them scored to put the visitors ahead for good.
Bees MVP • Kaleb Cowart went 2 for 3 with a home run, two RBIs and a run scored in the second game of the doubleheader. He's now batting .330 for the season.
Hidden Hero • Starting pitcher Alex Blackford took the loss in the first game, but he matched a season high with six strikeouts and his five innings were crucial in limiting the bullpen's activity.
Flashing Leather • El Paso second baseman and San Diego Padres prospect Carlos Asuaje made a diving stop with a runner on and threw to first to end the Bees' two-run fifth inning in the second game.
Quoteworthy • "Every year this stuff happens," Bees manager Keith Johnson said. "You start to lose pitching. You lose a guy here, a guy there and all of a sudden you lose three guys — at some point it's going to catch up with you. Up until this point, we've been able to dodge the bullet as far as having big letdowns. Right now, it's just one of those situations where the dynamic is changing a little bit with all the moves we've had on the pitching side. We've just got to level the waters a little bit. After that we'll be back fine."
Angel Angle • Right-handed relief pitcher Brooks Pounders pitched a scoreless inning for the Angles on Saturday. He allowed one hit and struck out one in a loss to the Texas Rangers. He hasn't allowed a run in his past two appearances for the Angels, who recalled him from Salt Lake on April 23. Since April 23, the Bees have sent four pitchers to the Los Angels Angels.
HISTORY LESSON • The Bees will enter Monday night one win shy of 900 all-time at Smith's Ballpark. The clubs has gone 899-767 at Smith's Ballpark in franchise history.
What's next • The Bees finish their five-game series against El Paso on Monday night. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. at Smith's Ballpark. —
PCL Standings
American North W L Pct. GB
Colo. Springs (Brewers) 13 6 .684 —
Okla. City (Dodgers) 12 9 .571 2
Omaha (Royals) 11 10 .524 3
Iowa (Cubs) 10 12 .455 4½
American South W L Pct. GB
Memphis (Cardinals) 13 11 .542 —
Round Rock (Rangers) 11 13 .458 2
Nashville (Athletics) 9 11 .450 2
New Orleans (Marlins) 8 15 .348 4½
Pacific North W L Pct. GB
Tacoma (Mariners) 14 8 .636 —
Reno (Diamondbacks) 14 10 .583 1
Fresno (Astros) 10 14 .417 5
Sacramento (Giants) 7 16 .304 7½
Pacific South W L Pct. GB
Salt Lake (Angels) 14 10 .583 —
Las Vegas (Mets) 12 12 .500 2
El Paso (Padres) 12 12 .500 2
Albuquerque (Rockies) 11 12 .478 2½
Sunday's games
Oklahoma City at Omaha, ppd.
Colorado Springs at Iowa, ppd.
Las Vegas 2, Albuquerque 1
El Paso 3, Salt Lake 0
El Paso 12, Salt Lake 3
Oklahoma City at Omaha, ppd.
Memphis 11, Round Rock 7
Reno 11, Fresno 10
Tacoma 2, Sacramento 0
New Orleans at Nashville, late
Monday's games
Oklahoma City at Omaha, 10:05 a.m.
Round Rock at Memphis, 10:05 a.m.
New Orleans at Nashville, 11:05 a.m.
Colorado Springs at Iowa, 11:08 a.m.
El Paso at Salt Lake, 6:35 p.m.
Sacramento at Tacoma, 7:05 p.m.
Fresno at Reno, 7:35 p.m.
Albuquerque at Las Vegas, 8:05 p.m.