LAS VEGAS — Down 5-4 entering the top of the ninth, the Salt Lake Bees had one last chance to pull off the win against the Las Vegas 51s. Erick Aybar grounded out to start the inning and was followed by Howie Kendrick and Nick Gorneault singles. With the tying run in scoring position, Jonathan Broxton struck out Mike Napoli and Dallas McPherson to end the game.
With the win, the Las Vegas 51s (6-0) are off to the best start in franchise's history, breaking the previous best of 5-0 set in 1983. The loss gives the Bees their second consecutive one-run loss to the 51s and extends their losing streak to three games after starting the season 3-0.
The Bees got on the board with a two-run homer by McPherson in the fourth and added runs in the fifth and sixth on a Kendrick ground out and Joel Guzman fielding error. Delwyn Young broke a 4-4 tie for the 51s with a solo shot in the bottom of the fifth.
Joe Beimel picked up the win and Matt Wilhite suffered the loss. Aybar and Kendrick each recorded a hit to extend their hitting streaks to six games, remaining the only two Bees to record a hit in each game this season. The 51s pitchers struck out 14 Bees batters.
Beelines
51s 5, Bees 4
Top performance: Howie Kendrick went 2-for-5 with an RBI and continues his blistering start, hitting .462 through six games.
Record: 3-3
Up next: at Las Vegas tonight at 8
Current series: 0-2
Next homestand: Friday-Monday vs. Portland