SALT LAKE CITY – After a slow start to the series, the Bees bats exploded for a four-run seventh on their way to a 5-1 win over Las Vegas.

The Bees (5-5) hosted the Aviators (6-4) in game five of a six game series at Smith’s Ballpark on Saturday,  April 16.

Right hander Davis Daniel (0-0, 0.00 ERA) made his second start of the season Saturday night against the Aviators. Lefty Jared Koenig (0-0, 2.25 ERA) made his second start of the year for Las Vegas.

🐝vs🕶️#startinglineup @ZionsBank pic.twitter.com/XX51Ijrzla

— Salt Lake Bees (@SaltLakeBees) April 16, 2022

Both starters looked strong to begin the game as neither team was able to advance a runner beyond second base through four innings.

In the fifth, Mickey McDonald led-off with a single to center, stole second and advanced to third when Vimael Machin grounded out. Luis Barrera then hit a soft bouncer to first that Bees first baseman Chad Wallach could handle, resulting in an error and Vegas taking a 1-0 lead.

Brendon Davis flashing some leather at the hot corner @Brendon_BDavis pic.twitter.com/IglF8ffujS

— Salt Lake Bees (@SaltLakeBees) April 17, 2022

Reliever Jake Kalish took over for Daniel in the sixth inning. Daniel allowed one run on three hits while striking out five and walking two across five innings.

Salt Lake got on the board in the bottom of the sixth when Brendon Davis walked and advanced to second base on a wild pitch. With Davis at second and two down, David MacKinnon hit a line drive double to center that tied the game 1-1. Kean Wong then laced a single to center, scoring MacKinnon and chasing Koenig, the Aviator starter.

Fire us up Monte Harrison! 🔥
Bees rally for 4 runs in the 6th to go up 4-1! pic.twitter.com/62kQb0OGfp

— Salt Lake Bees (@SaltLakeBees) April 17, 2022

Righthander Austin Pruitt came in to pitch for Las Vegas and gave up a 2-0 triple to Chad Wallach that scored Wong and put Salt Lake in front 3-1. The hit parade continued when Monte Harrison doubled to the centerfield wall, scoring Wallach. When the smoke cleared, the Bees had scored four runs on four hits in the inning, taking a 4-1 lead.

In the seventh, the Bees bats stayed hot as Luis Rengifo got into the action with a lead-off double and scored when Michael Stefanic singled to right giving Salt Lake a 5-1 advantage.

Kalish improved to 2-0 for the Bees in 2022. Jared Koenig fell to 0-1 for Las Vegas. Kodi Medeiros pitched a clean ninth inning to finish the game for Salt Lake.

The Bees and Aviators wrap up their six-game series with an Easter Sunday matinee on April 17. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m.

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