Too little offense troubles Bees in loss to Sacramento


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SALT LAKE CITY — The Salt Lake Bees have been on the short end of several close games in the first nine games of 2015.

Coming into Saturday’s matchup with the Sacramento River Cats, the Bees were 1-6 in games decided by two runs or less, with the last coming in a 5-3 loss on opening night Friday.

Saturday, the Bees fell again, although not in a close decision, as they struggled offensively in a 5-1 loss to the River Cats.

Sacramento finished with 12 hits in the game, while Salt Lake mustered just four hits.

Bees manager Dave Andersen said it was a tough offensive night for his club.

“It was more (Sacramento starting pitcher Austin Fleet) than anything else,” he said. “We ran into a guy who commands it really well; can throw different pitches behind in the count; mixes it up really good with a nice little cutter. We struggled with it.”


Neither team scored in the first five innings, while combining for six runs in the final five innings.

Both teams traded zeros for the first five innings, until Sacramento broke the tie in the sixth inning. Right fielder Jarrett Parker homered on a ball to left field, giving the River Cats a 2-0 lead.

Sacramento also scored three runs in the top of the ninth, with John Bowker hitting a two-run home run. Also, Darren Ford scored on an Ehire Adrianza single.

The Bees picked up their lone run of the night in the ninth as Josh Rutledge scored on Carlos Perez.

In spite of the loss, Salt Lake starter Zach Stewart threw five scoreless innings before surrendering the home run in the sixth. Stewart earned the loss, while Sacramento’s Brett Bochy took the win. Bochy pitched two scoreless innings while allowing just one hit.

Andersen said Stewart, a pitcher who struck out movie star and former “Saturday Night Live” star Will Ferrell in spring training, threw a solid game.

“I thought his command was good; his command was a lot better than the last time he was out,” he said. “I thought he mixed his pitches and did a good job. Got a little tired at the end, maybe.”

With the loss, the Bees drop to 1-5 on the season against Sacramento.

The Bees and River Cats will play Sunday, with first pitch scheduled at 1:05 p.m. Right-handed pitcher Drew Rucinski will make his first start for Salt Lake, while right-hander Robert Coello will throw for the River Cats. Coello is 1-0 on the season, with a 1.50 ERA.

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