For a second straight game, the Salt Lake Bees got a home run from Kaleb Cowart in defeating Albuquerque in Pacific Coast League action. But Cowart, who smashed a grand slam against the Isotopes the day before, said he preferred the 10th-inning walk-off homer Saturday that gave the Bees a 4-3 victory.
The leadoff batter in the bottom of the 10th, Cowart roped a line drive that just cleared the fence in the right-field corner of Smith's Ballpark. It was the first run of the game since the third inning as Salt Lake starting pitcher Tyler Skaggs, along with relievers Troy Scribner and Deolis Guerra, held Albuquerque scoreless the rest of the way.
Turning Point • The Isotopes had their chance with a two-out rally in the ninth inning. But, after singles from Tom Murphy and Christian Adames, Scribner induced a grounder to second from Daniel Castro to end the frame. That wrapped up five innings of scorless work for the Salt Lake reliever.
Bees MVP • Cowart was stellar even before his walk-off home run. His four-for-four night included singles in the first, third and seventh innings and his only plate appearance that didn't end with a hit was when he walked to lead off the fifth.
Hidden Hero • Jefry Marte's two-run double in the third tied the contest at 3-3. On the heels of Cowart's RBI single, the right-handed hitting Marte went the opposite way and snuck a ball between Albuquerque first-baseman Jordan Patterson and the first-base bag. The hit scored both David Fletcher, who had also singled, and Cowart.
Flashing Leather • In a tied stalemate for six innings, Bees' shortstop David Fletcher and Salt Lake leftfielder Eric Young Jr. helped keep it that way with nice plays in the field. Fletcher ranged far to his left on a grounder in the sixth to throw Mike Tauchman out - releasing the ball from almost the second-base bag. Young then went deep in the eighth to snag a drive off the bat of Ryan McMahon.
Quoteworthy • "It felt great. That was the first walk-off homer of my career. It was an awesome feeling. What a game by the guys, you've got to give it to the pitching staff — they did a heckuva job," Cowart said.
Angel Angle • Skaggs, who started the year with Los Angeles, made only his second appearance since being put on the disabled list on April 29. On rehab for a strained oblique, Skaggs threw 62 pitches in his four innings of work and gave up three runs on six hits. It was his first time this year in a Bees' uniform as Skaggs also threw July 17 in an Arizona League game.
What's next • A brief four-game homestand heads down the back stretch when Salt Lake again hosts Albuquerque Sunday at 7:05 p.m. in game three of the series. The expected starting pitcher for the Bees is John Lamb (3-0) while the 'Topes will counter with Matt Flemer (4-6).