The Salt Lake Bees (15-30/54-65) made their second straight road trip to Texas in El Paso. Salt Lake fared much better this time around, taking four of six from the Chihuahuas (14-30/49-70). The Bees collected their first series win at Southwest University Park since 2018, as they were winless in the previous six sets there against the San Diego Padres’ Triple-A affiliate. This week’s results marked the first road six-game series victory over El Paso in Bees’ franchise history.
Series recap
Salt Lake started the week-long set on Tuesday with a ninth-inning rally. Down 3-2 to start the frame, the Bees scored twice to flip the score 4-3 and held on for the series-opening win. Caden Dana recorded his third quality start of the season to help Salt Lake launch their comeback, while closer Kaleb Ort finished the job with some help from his defense. Another quality start from Sam Aldegheri set the tone in Wednesday’s matinee, but El Paso’s three unanswered runs late broke a 2-2 tie that gave them a 3-2 victory to even the series.
Despite erasing a 7-0 deficit on Thursday, the Bees could not complete the comeback. Instead, it was the Chihuahuas who rallied with Nick Pratto’s eighth-inning bases-clearing double that secured an 11-8 decision. As they’ve done so many times on Friday nights this season, Salt Lake was victorious and collected an 8-2 win. The Bees rode seven dazzling innings from Brett Kerry and Omar Martinez’s four RBI to level the series at two games each. Kerry had 6.2 no-hit innings to begin his effort and the seven innings matched the longest start by a Bee in 2026.
Salt Lake walked their way to a Saturday night comeback, winning 8-7. The visitors scored four times in the ninth on four free passes, the only walks El Paso issued in the game. Niko Kavadas homered and led the offense with four RBIs, including the game-tying bases-loaded walk. Ort encapsulated a solid bullpen effort with a perfect ninth inning, earning his ninth save of the season. Looking to win their first series at El Paso in eight seasons, the Bees flexed their muscle on Sunday with a comprehensive 13-7 win. The visitors took control of the tussle with nine unanswered runs, punctuated by a six-run sixth. Salt Lake has won three in a row for the first time since June and seeks to continue it at home this upcoming week.
Prospect watch
The trickle-down effects of the MLB Draft and trade deadline are still making their way through organizations. That’s no different with the Los Angeles Angels’ top 30 prospect list. Salt Lake’s highest-ranked prospect, Nelson Rada, sits at No. 6 on the rankings. The soon-to-be 21-year-old had a solid week in the series win over El Paso. Rada played in five of the six games, batting 5-for-18 (.278) with three doubles, four runs scored, three RBIs, two walks and three strikeouts. He also stole another base, putting him at 32 swipes on the year.
Rada pushed his season stat line to .280/.376/.365 and is now just one hit shy of 110 on the season. Again, the plus outfielder was excellent in the grass, tracking down fly balls including some great running and diving snags. He did, however, commit his first error in the series since his last one on July 26 against Omaha.
The fresh new face in Raudi Rodriguez, the Angels’ 19th-ranked prospect, played in his second series at the Triple-A level against the Chihuahuas. The jump to Triple-A was on display during his five games against El Paso. Rodriguez batted just 3-for-17 (.176), with all three hits coming as singles. He recorded two RBIs and two runs scored while striking out six times and walking five. Rodriguez does have at least one hit in seven of his first 10 games as a Bee, including hits in two of his last three games. The Dominican Republic native was also dominant in the outfield, notching 18 putouts while still not committing an error.
The Halos’ 27th-ranked prospect Joel Hurtado made his second Triple-A start of the season and third career appearance at the level. In his second Salt Lake start of the season, Hurtado fired 3.1 innings of work, allowing six runs on six hits and three walks. The righty struck out four Chihuahuas, a new Triple-A high and his most in a start since his final outing with Double-A Rocket City on July 30 at Columbus, where he punched out six hitters. Hurtado must pound the zone as he sits with a 0.83 walk rate, but it’s still early in his Triple-A career.
Around the bases
A jam-packed homestand is ahead this week, starting with Tuesday’s Big League Utah Night. It’s the second-to-last chance to see the Utah Dirty Sodas this season on Wednesday, before saluting those who keep us safe with Thursday’s First Responder Night. Dust off the crimson, navy or purple jerseys and show your school spirit with Friday’s College Football Night, as the calendar inches closer to week one. Fairy tales and tiaras set the mood Saturday for Princess Night at The Ballpark. It will be a happily ever after, thanks to the final postgame drone show of the season. The series concludes with a fun-filled fiesta on Sunday’s Abejas Night.
What’s on deck
The penultimate homestand of the 2026 campaign will see Salt Lake battle the Reno Aces (Triple-A, Arizona Diamondbacks). The Bees will look for a third series win over the Aces this season, starting Tuesday at 6:35 p.m. MDT inside The Ballpark at America First Square.
