In what has been an early theme this season, the Salt Lake Bees (14-19) split their third consecutive series, this time taking only three games against the Sacramento River Cats (Triple-A, San Francisco Giants) at home this week. The visitors won the first two games, before the Bees evened the series winning the next two.
Each team was victorious on the weekend, with Salt Lake securing a walk-off on Sunday to complete the split. Recent history between the River Cats and Bees has been extremely even, as the two teams have gone 24-24 against each other, splitting the last eight series, dating back to 2024.
Series recap
This week’s six-game set began with a 5-2 Sacramento victory on Tuesday night, with all five runs coming in the fifth and sixth frames. The River Cats followed up with a 17-7 rout on Wednesday night, using a 4-for-5, six-RBI performance from top Giants prospect Bryce Eldridge.
Three first-inning runs provided enough run support for Caden Dana, helping Salt Lake tally a 4-2 victory on Thursday evening. Niko Kavadas’ two-run double in the opening frame was the difference maker for the Bees. Every Salt Lake hitter notched a hit and scored at least once on Friday night, as the home team put on an offensive masterclass in a 18-8 victory.
Jose Siri led the way with four extra-base hits, six RBI and fell a single shy of completing a cycle. Sacramento grabbed the advantage in the series on Saturday, finishing on top 7-4 on Gold Medal Night at The Ballpark at America First Square. The series concluded on Sunday with some last at-bat heroics. Trey Mancini’s ninth-inning sacrifice fly erased a five-run deficit and secured a walk-off win for the Abejas and wrapped up the series split. Late-game magic, highlighted by a five-run seventh, surged the comeback victory for Salt Lake, sending fans home happy and ending the week on a high note.
The Bees sit in ninth place across the Pacific coast League (PCL) standings 33 games in and hold an even .500 (9-9) record at The Ballpark at America First Square this season.
Prospect watch
The Halos’ top-ranked position player and second player overall, Nelson Rada, finally cooled off after a torrid start to the season. Rada went 4-for-21 (.190) with four total bases, two runs, an RBI and a stolen base, while striking out four times. Despite the struggles at the plate, the 20-year-old committed no errors in center field along with running down several balls, including covering 120 feet for a sliding play. A bounce-back week is in store for the youngster as he continues to get used to high-level baseball.
George Klassen, Los Angeles’ fourth-ranked prospect, had his shortest outing at the Triple-A level. It was his shortest outing since his two-game stint with the big league club when he threw two innings against the Reds in Cincinnati. The righty lasted three innings in the 18-8 win on Friday. He allowed eight hits, five runs and three walks while striking out none.
At the start of the set, the Angels’ seventh-ranked prospect, Denzer Guzman, saw his 13-game hitting streak come to an end. The Dominican still managed to make an impact, recording at least one hit in three of the six games against the River Cats. His biggest night came during Friday’s offensive surge, where he put together a four-hit performance. Guzman finished the series 6-for-26 (.231) with a double, three RBIs, three walks and two runs scored, though he struck out seven times.
Caden Dana, formerly the highest rated pitching prospect in the Angels system, turned in a solid performance on Thursday. The right-hander picked up his first win of the season, behind five innings of one-run ball. Dana retired 13 straight batters in his start, while also compiling five strikeouts to earn PCL Pitcher of the Week honors. He is the first Bees arm to win the weekly award since Reid Detmers did so for the week of Aug. 12-18, 2024. Dana is also the first Bee to receive a weekly honor this season.
Around the bases
It was a busy week at The Ballpark at America First Square. Wednesday saw the return of the Utah Dirty Sodas, ahead of a jam-packed weekend. Fans that got the ballpark early on Friday got their hands on a Hula Bumble Bobblehead on Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Night. Special on-field jerseys were worn by the team, celebrating the beginning of May’s AANHPI Heritage Month.
The Olympic flame always burns bright in Utah and Saturday’s Gold Medal Night saw actual Olympic Gold Medals in the house in South Jordan. Roughly 25 United States Olympians were celebrated pregame on the field, with many gold, silver and bronze medalists acknowledged.
The homestand closed out with the first Abejas Night of the season, recognizing the Hispanic and Latin community in the Beehive State. More highlights of the day include the national anthem performed by a mariachi band, a Spanish public-address announcer and DJ Dirty Dave, who brought the vibe all game long.
In honor of Larry H. Miller Week of Service, Bees players and staff participated at the Miracle League on Saturday morning. Under perfect sunny skies, players and staff helped kids hit, run bases and even led cheers with participants.
What’s On deck
The Bees hit the road this week, going east to the Sooner State to take on the Oklahoma City Comets (Triple-A, Los Angeles Dodgers). The six-game series begins Tuesday, May 5, at 5:05 p.m. MDT from Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. Following the trip to Oklahoma, Salt Lake will return home for their longest homestand of the season, playing 12 games in 13 days against the El Paso Chihuahuas (Triple-A, San Diego Padres) and the Tacoma Rainiers (Triple-A, Seattle Mariners).
