Bees Bullets: Offense Stymied As Bees Drop Series Against Sacramento

SALT LAKE CITY – The bats never really got going for Salt Lake as the Bees dropped four of six games to the fifth place Sacramento River Cats.

The Bees hosted the River Cats in a six-game series at Smith’s Ballpark, August 9-14.

The four losses to Sacramento marks the first time in a month that Salt Lake has lost a series. During that stretch, the Bees won four of six at Las Vegas, won two of three against Tacoma and split with Oklahoma City.

The Bees (53-58) now sit 9.5 games behind division leading Reno (62-48), 2.5 games behind Las Vegas.

Game One: Bees 9 River Cats 16

Davis Daniel (3-5) got roughed up in the series opener as Sacramento brought 12 batters to the plate in an eight run third inning that put the game out of reach for Salt Lake.

In 2.2 innings, Daniel allowed eight hits, nine runs with seven earned while walking three and striking out a pair.

In his first game with the Bees, Jose Gomez went 2-for-5 with a two-run ninth inning home run. Matt Thaiss added three runs batted in.

First game as a Bee ✔️ First home run as a Bee✔️ pic.twitter.com/0jHseqM7Wr

— Salt Lake Bees (@SaltLakeBees) August 10, 2022

• Thaiss’ 10th home run of the year is second on the team behind  Jake Gatewood (15), and Dillon Thomas (12).  The trifecta are also the only Bees with 40+ runs batted in this season.
• Ty Buttrey threw two innings and did not allow a baserunner while striking out four.

Game Two: Bees 3 River Cats 4

Trailing 4-1 entering the ninth inning, Jose Gomez and Orlando Martinez tried to bring the Bees back but it wasn’t enough in as Salt Lake falls to 13-21 in one-run games.

Sacramento tagged starter Adam Seminaris (0-2) for four runs with three earned in four innings.

Jake Palomaki and Martinez finished with two hits each.

🔥BACK TO BACK🔥 pic.twitter.com/qfKoZpuYge

— Salt Lake Bees (@SaltLakeBees) August 11, 2022

• The solo home run from Gomez marked the first time in his pro career he homered on consecutive days. It also marked the third straight game with a homer after he hit a solo shot in his last appearance with Double-A Rocket City before being promoted to Salt Lake on August 9.
• Five Bees relievers combined to limit Sacramento to three hits and one run over the final five innings.

Game Three: Bees 3 River Cats 9

Robinson Pina (6-7) took the loss in his first start for Salt Lake, giving up five earned runs before getting pulled after 2.1 innings.

Salt Lake tallied just six hits in the game with Matt Thaiss’ two hits leading the way.

ORLANDOOO👏 pic.twitter.com/4IFAtXN9UE

— Salt Lake Bees (@SaltLakeBees) August 12, 2022

• Orlando Martinez picked up two runs batted in with a fourth inning triple. He has an RBI in four straight games.
• Recently optioned Oliver Ortega gave up a three-run eighth inning home run.

Game Four: Bees 8 River Cats 6

César Valdez allowed four runs across six innings, holding on long enough for the Bees offense to find some life on the way to the win. Sacramento scored four first inning runs off of Valdez before he was able to settle in.

Salt Lake answered with a four run third inning of their own. Kyle Kasser, Anthony Mulrine and Michael Stefanic each batted in a run during the rally.

The Bees added four more in the seventh inning with the big blow coming on an Orlando Martinez double that scored two and stretched Martinez’s RBI streak to five games.

Bees are buzzin'! @mjstefi caps off a four-run inning for Salt Lake👏 pic.twitter.com/Ftb6DAclcE

— Salt Lake Bees (@SaltLakeBees) August 13, 2022

• Kasser hit safely for the eighth straight game with a second inning RBI single.
• Anthony Mulrine picked up his first RBI for Salt Lake since joining the Bees on August 4.

Game Five: Bees 8 River Cats 4

Cristopher Molina bounced back after getting knocked around in his previous start, allowing three runs with two earned while scattering four hits in 4.2 innings pitched in the Bees win.

Trailing 4-3 entering the eighth, Bees batters loaded the bases on three straight walks before Martinez emptied the bags with a baes clearing triple. Salt Lake went on to score five runs in the inning.

Makin' em look silly 😵‍💫 pic.twitter.com/C0II5Yk3yS

— Salt Lake Bees (@SaltLakeBees) August 14, 2022

• Dillon Thomas’ first inning RBI double extended his on-base streak to 17 consecutive games.

8th inning rally🤩 pic.twitter.com/6PTZrVUszz

— Salt Lake Bees (@SaltLakeBees) August 14, 2022

• Orlando Martinez went 3-for-4, adding a triple, home run and four runs batted in to continue his torrid pace over the last week. 10-for-20 in his last six games, Martinez has 15 RBI and seven extra-base hits during the run

Game Six: Bees 2 River Cats 9

Salt Lake couldn’t overcome a five run River Cat second inning as Sacramento clinched the series win with a Sunday afternoon blowout.

The River Cats took command with a five run second inning.

Bees batters showed patience at the plate, drawing eight walks on the afternoon but they managed only four hits as a team in the effort.

.@Jake_Gatewood2 taking a nice afternoon stroll around the bases for an INSIDE THE PARK HOME RUN!🔥 pic.twitter.com/aih8ym0Kbw

— Salt Lake Bees (@SaltLakeBees) August 14, 2022

• Aro came into the game with an 8.31 earned run average in 17.1 innings as a starter before surrendering five earned while retiring just five batters. He has a 4.46 earned run average in 34.1 innings in relief.
• Orlando Martinez took a pitch off of the right forearm that appeared to ricochet off of his face in the seventh inning. After briefly going to the ground and speaking with a trainer, Martinez remained in the game. His six-game hitting and RBI streaks each came to an end
• Matt Thaiss finished the series hitting 8-for-21 with a home run and three RBI. His 46 runs batted in are behind only Dillon Thomas (54) for the team lead.
• Jake Gatewood’s ninth inning inside-the-park home run was his 16th home run of the year. It was the Bees first inside-the-park homer since Brendon Davis did it against Reno on April 21, 2022.

Roster Moves

OF Dillon Thomas cleared waivers and was outrighted to the @SaltLakeBees. https://t.co/AfdtVnb8jr

— Angels PR (@LAAngelsPR) August 9, 2022

• Thomas’ 12 home runs trail only Jake Gatewood (15) for the team lead. His 54 runs batted in lead the Bees in 2022. He is batting .295 on the year.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday, Monte Harrison! 🎂@firstutahbank | #firstutahbankhbd pic.twitter.com/1ypmkA301P

— Salt Lake Bees (@SaltLakeBees) August 10, 2022

• A 27-year old outfielder, Harrison is hitting .240 with seven home runs, 32 runs batted in and 20 stolen bases for Salt Lake in 2022. In nine games with Los Angeles he hit .182 with a home run and three RBI.

Happy Birthday @_ryansmith9🥳 #firstutahbankhbd | @FirstUtahBank pic.twitter.com/b4KqyErc8M

— Salt Lake Bees (@SaltLakeBees) August 13, 2022

• At 25 years old, Smith has bounced back and forth between the starting rotation and the bullpen for manager Lou Marson’s Bees in 2022. In 25 games this year, Smith is 1-6 with a 7.24 earned run average.

On Deck

The Bees head out on the road where they will face the Reno Aces (62-48), Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Game one is scheduled for a 7:35 p.m. (MST) first pitch on Tuesday, August 16.

Purchase tickets to see the Bees play at slbees.com. Listen to voice of the Bees Steve Klauke on The Zone Sports Network & KSLSports.com.

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