The Salt Lake Bees made their first of three trips to the Lone Star State this season, heading to Central Texas to take on the Round Rock Express. Both teams walked away from the week with three wins, resulting in the Bees’ fifth series split of the 2026 campaign.
Series recap
A pair of four-hit performances from Christian Moore and Trey Mancini surged the Bees to a 7-1 series opening victory on Tuesday. Round Rock’s eight-inning rally on Wednesday night halted Salt Lake’s season-long five-game win streak, as the hosts claimed a 5-4 win.
The Express scored in seven of the eight half innings they came to the plate on Thursday, taking a 16-11 slugfest. The Bees continued their recent Friday successes, winning their fifth in a row on the day with a 7-5 decision. Salt Lake leaned on a six-run fourth to even the series at two games each, thanks in part to Omar Martinez’s fifth homer on the road and Denzer Guzman’s 50th RBI of the season.
The visitors could not overcome an early 4-0 deficit, dropping Saturday’s contest 7-4. A collective offensive effort, led by Josh Lowe’s homer and Omar Martinez’s clutch hitting, powered the Bees to an 8-6 Sunday win that secured the series split.
After a week of play in the Lone Star State, Salt Lake holds a 28-28 record, good for fifth in the Pacific Coast League standings and sit five games back of league leader Sacramento.
Prospect watch
The Angels’ top-ranked position prospect and No. 2 overall prospect, Nelson Rada, battled through a slow start in Round Rock before finishing the series on a high note. After being held in check over the first three games, the Gold Glove-winning outfielder recorded back-to-back multi-hit performances and added another hit in the finale. The 20-year-old finished his second series against the Express batting 5-for-21 (.238) with eight total bases, seven runs scored, one home run, five walks, five RBIs and two stolen bases. He also showcased his versatility defensively, logging innings in both center and left field during the series split.
Salt Lake’s only two-time starter in the series, George Klassen entered the week as the Angels’ No. 3 pitching prospect and No. 4 overall prospect. The right-hander worked more than three innings for the first time since April 25 in Las Vegas, where he tossed 6.2 frames. In the series opener at Round Rock, Klassen delivered five innings of one-run ball, striking out six while walking four, allowing just one hit across 81 pitches. He turned in a similar performance in Sunday’s victory, again completing five innings with six strikeouts and four walks. Klassen surrendered two runs on three hits, including a solo home run, over 84 pitches. While command remains an area for improvement, the strikeout production continues to be an encouraging sign for the 23-year-old, who made his Triple-A debut earlier this season.
Los Angeles’ No. 7 prospect Guzman continued his strong season in Round Rock, proving his success isn’t limited to Salt Lake. The infielder entered the series batting .328 at home and .316 on the road, and he remained productive away from The Ballpark. Guzman finished the six-game set 7-for-25 (.280) with two doubles, one home run, five RBIs, five runs scored, two walks, two stolen bases and 12 total bases. He recorded three multi-hit games during the series, highlighted by a 2-for-4 performance on May 28 that included a home run, a double, two RBIs and two runs scored. Defensively, however, Guzman endured an uncharacteristically difficult week. He committed three errors across the six games, including two at third base and one at shortstop.
In Thursday’s high-scoring loss, Angels No. 16 prospect Sam Aldegheri turned in his shortest outing of the season, lasting just three innings. The left-hander surrendered four runs on seven hits while striking out two and walking two. The outing saddled him with his first loss since April 28 against Sacramento. Aldegheri threw 69 pitches, 39 of which were strikes, and will look to rebound in his next start back in Daybreak.
Around the bases
It’s another jam-packed week out in Daybreak following Wednesday’s weekly showing of the Utah Dirty Sodas and $3 Swig drinks. Thursday presents Friendship Bracelet Night, with the novelty being given out pregame. Roll back the clock on Friday night as the Salt Lake Gulls make an appearance on field and at the gates. A mini bat and mini batting helmet giveaway will be on deck, while the Bees will wear jerseys and hats that harken back to the moniker given to Utah’s minor league team from 1975-1984. Saturday sees the first firework night of the season, lighting up the sky postgame. Finally, it’s Love All Night on Sunday, as well as the first Breakfast for Dinner chance in the first 6:05 p.m. Sunday start of the home campaign.
What’s on deck
Salt Lake looks to follow their red-hot May as they kickoff play in June at home with six games against the Albuquerque Isotopes (Triple-A, Colorado Rockies). The series begins on Tuesday, June 2, at 6:35 p.m. MDT from The Ballpark at America First Square in South Jordan.
