The host Albuquerque Isotopes beat Salt Lake 12-11 in a Pacific Coast League game Monday afternoon, denying the Bees a four-game sweep.
The Bees trailed 6-1 after just two innings, but Chris Carter belted a solo homer in the third to pull to within four. Salt Lake closed it to one run in the fourth on a bases-loaded triple by David Fletcher, who delivered the first run of the game with a home run on the second pitch of the contest. The Bees took the lead with three more in the fifth on a two-run single by Zach Houchins and a bases-loaded walk to Nolan Fontana for an 8-6 lead.
The Bees pitching staff could not hold the advantage, as Albuquerque scored three in the fifth, and one each in the sixth, seventh and eighth for a 12-8 lead.
Salt Lake made it interesting in the ninth, as Juan Graterol drove in a run with a ground out and Houchins followed with a two-run single to pull the Bees to within one. Fletcher came to the plate, but bounced into a game-ending force play to snap Salt Lake’s four game winning streak.
Salt Lake reliever Ralston Cash (0-1) was tagged with the loss, as he went 11⁄3 innings and allowed two runs on two hits with three walks and a hit batter.
Salt Lake starter Parker Bridwell went 41/3 innings and gave up eight runs on 11 hits.
Fletcher and Houchins led the Bees offense, as they each had three hits and drove in four runs. Carter and Graterol each added two hits and one RBI.