"Every time we had something going, it got shut down," Brown said after the River Cats defeated Salt Lake 8-3 on Thursday.

The River Cats tallied 11 hits, including five home runs, in front of an enthusiastic crowd of 11,188 at Raley Field. The best-of-five series heads to Franklin Covey Field today.

"We hoped to at least split, so we are going home and hopefully we can regroup," Salt Lake manager Bobby Mitchell said.

The Bees were optimistic entering the game after taking a 13-10 win Wednesday against Sacramento. Salt Lake recorded franchise-highs of 19 hits and four home runs in that game.

On Thursday, it was Sacramento that was seeing the ball well. Bees starting pitcher Anthony Ortega recorded the loss following five innings, six hits and five runs.

"Ortega didn't have his best stuff," Mitchell said. "He was really up in the zone a lot and they took advantage of it."

The River Cats pounded two home runs off the bats of Brooks Conrad and Casey Rogowski in the second inning for a 2-0 lead.

Salt Lake, meanwhile, sent just 13 batters to the plate over the first four innings and was unable to move a runner in scoring position until the fifth inning, when the Bees stranded Bobby Wilson on third base. Salt Lake ended the game with 11 runners left on base.

Sacramento built a 5-0 lead following two more home runs in the fifth inning, including Jeff Baisley's two-run shot.

Salt Lake's bats awoke during the seventh inning during a two-out rally that saw Chris Walker's double drive in Terry Evans and Gary Patchett. Brad Coon sent a single to center field as Walker scored. Brown, who led the Bees' slugfest Wednesday, struck out looking with two runners on base to end the inning trailing 5-3.

"He thought it was inside," Mitchell said. "It was a close call. It was a big moment in the game."

Brown finished the game 0-for-3.

Sacramento designated hitter Wes Bankston logged his second double of the night in the eighth inning to drive in Travis Buck, who reached base on a bunt.

The River Cats continued the scoring drive as Conrad picked up the team's fifth home run and his second of the game for the 8-3 lead.

River Cats reliever Brett Anderson struck out Coon to end the game.

"They just flat out out-hit us today," Brown said.

Loux will start tonight

Los Angeles Angels right-handed pitcher Shane Loux is on rehab assignment following oral surgery and will start tonight's PCL conference playoff game for Salt Lake against the Sacramento River Cats at Franklin Covey Field.

Loux, 29, was placed on the disabled list Aug. 31. He has appeared in five games for the Angels in 2008, owning a 2.31 ERA in 11.2 innings of relief.