SALT LAKE BEES
Valdez Struggles For Bees On Jackie Robinson Day
SALT LAKE CITY – Six base hits and four runs weren’t enough for the Salt Lake Bees as they fall to the Las Vegas Aviators.
The Bees (5-4) hosted the Aviators (5-4) in game four of a six game series at Smith’s Ballpark on Friday, April 15.
Cesar Valdez (1-0, 0.00 ERA) got the ball to start Friday night against the Aviators. Adrian Martinez (0-1, 15.43 ERA) made his second start of the year for Las Vegas.
Today marks the 75th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's MLB debut.
The Bees are proud to join MLB and MiLB teams across the country in wearing 42 for tonight's game, to honor the man who used his talent, voice, and hard work to stand up for what's right and create change. pic.twitter.com/BZNLsN2jGS— Salt Lake Bees (@SaltLakeBees) April 16, 2022
Las Vegas struck first in the third inning plating a run after loading the bases with nobody out. Valdez limited the damage by getting Christian Lopes to ground into a double play.
Back to back Aviator doubles to lead off the fourth inning staked Vegas to an early 2-0 lead. An unusual 6-3-5 double play again allowed Valdez to work out of the jam.
With one out in the bottom half of the inning, Bees first baseman Matt Thaiss hit the Bees first triple of the season and scored when Brendon Davis flew out deep to right. Salt Lake put runners at the corners but an Orlando Martinez groundout ended the inning.
Matt Thaiss putting in the work for the first triple of the season💪 pic.twitter.com/gmbiOIeX48
— Salt Lake Bees (@SaltLakeBees) April 16, 2022
In the fifth, Las Vegas opened the game up with four runs in the frame. Vince Fernandez led off with a triple to center, scoring when Nate Mondou singled to right. Nick Allen then attempted to sacrifice Mondou to second but an errant throw by Brendon Davis at third allowed all runners to reach safely. With two on, Eric Thames delivered the big blow with a three-run home run that cleared the berm in right. The inning ended with the Aviators leading 6-1.
Las Vegas added two more runs in the ninth, increasing the advantage to 8-1.
Five straight singles in the bottom of the ninth for the Bees chases pitcher Miguel Romero from the game and cut the Aviators lead to 8-3. Chester Pimentel came in to face Matt Thaiss who lined the second pitch into left for a two-RBI single, the sixth hit of the inning. A fielder’s choice and a fly out ended the threat and the game, 8-5.
— Salt Lake Bees (@SaltLakeBees) April 16, 2022
Valdez falls to 1-1 on the season with the loss while Norge Ruiz moves to 1-0. Pimentel got credit for the save after recording the final two outs.
The Bees and Aviators are back it Saturday night at Smith’s Ballpark with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 p.m. (MDT). All Bees games are aired on 1280 The Zone.
