SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Billy Buckner tossed six scoreless innings to help lead the Salt Lake Bees to a 2-1 win over the Sacramento River Cats on Friday night.
Buckner (5-2), who was making his first start for Salt Lake since throwing five scoreless innings for the Angels last Saturday, allowed just three hits with five strikeouts and one walk.
Ryan Brasier earned his fourth save of the season, as he struck out Michael Choice with the tying run at third and two out in the eighth.
The Bees took a 1-0 lead in the third inning, as Kole Calhoun led off with a single, advanced to third on a single by Luis Jimenez and scored when Efren Navarro grounded into a double play. Salt Lake added a big insurance run in the seventh when Luke Carlin singled with one out. After Carlin was forced out on a fielder's choice by Andrew Romine, a single by Matt Long advance Romine to second. Calhoun followed with a single to center to bring home Romine. Calhoun, Navarro and Carlin each had two hits for the Bees, who earn a split of their four game series at Sacramento with wins in the final two games.