The Salt Lake Bees were able to avoid being swept by the Albuquerque Isotopes as they rallied in the eighth inning to win 6-5 on Sunday afternoon at Smith's Ballpark.
After gaining an initial lead of 3-1, the Bees fell behind after the Isotopes scored one run in the sixth inning and three more in the seventh.
Starting pitcher Doug Fister allowed five hits, one run, two walks and struck out one on 89 pitches in five innings.
Turning Point • In the eighth inning, down by one and with two outs, the Bees scored two runs to regain the lead. With runners on first and second, Tony Sanchez lined a single to right field, bringing home Cesar Puello. With the bases loaded, Sherman Johnson singled on a sharp ground ball to center field, allowing Ramon Flores to score.
Bees MVP • Johnson batted 3 for 4, scored a run in the third inning and hit the single that gave the Bees the lead in the eighth.
Hidden Hero • Nolan Fontana bunted in the third inning to load the bases, helping the Bees score three runs. He also walked twice.
Quoteworthy • "A lot of it is [hitting coach] Lou [Marson] and [manager Keith] Johnson," said Johnson regarding his recent strong performances. "Early in the season I was missing pitches I should have hit. It's frusturating, especially for me. But they have been through it, and they've seen it being coaches. So they told me to stick with it and to keep being content and it'll come. There is a lot of baseball left to be played so I've just tried to do that."
Angel Angle • Fister, who made his second start as a Bee on Sunday, is an eight-year major league veteran who reportedly can opt out of his contract with the Angels if he is not called up by June 21.
What's next • The Bees have an off day on Monday before opening a series against the Reno Aces on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. at Smith's Ballpark. Troy Scribner is scheduled to take the mound for the Bees and face off against Reno's Anthony Banda.