From Deseret News archives:
Bees hold off Hawks
It wasn't a successful return for Brumley. Oklahoma continued to struggle on the road, losing 5-1 to the Salt Lake Bees in their first game of an eight-game homestand.
The RedHawks (15-25) are now just 2-15 in road games this year. The Bees (24-15), meanwhile, continue to lead the PCL's Pacific Northern Division.
Brumley was 202-229 as Salt Lake's manager, but he left the Los Angeles Angels organization following the 2004 season to become the Texas Rangers' minor league field coordinator, a position he still holds. He was forced into the managing role during this four-game series because RedHawks manager Mike Boulanger is recovering from eye surgery.
The Bees won the game despite their starting pitcher Dustin Moseley facing just four hitters. Moseley, who was trying to become just the second six-game winner in the PCL, left due to back spasms with one out and a 1-2 count on Oklahoma's Adam Hyzdu in the second inning. Nathan Bland, who earned the victory, was the first of three Bees relievers who kept the RedHawks' bats quiet most of the night. Oklahoma finished with just three hits.
"That's not the exact way you want to plan it," said Bees manager Brian Harper of Moseley's early departure. "But our bullpen picked us up hugely."
Bland, Marcus Gwyn and Greg Jones, who picked up his fourth save, combined to pitch 7 2/3 innings without giving up an earned run. Oklahoma's only run scored as the result of an error.
The Bees opened the scoring in the first inning when second baseman Howie Kendrick doubled to center and then scored on a Kendry Morales single.
Salt Lake catcher Jeff Mathis extended his hitting streak to 13 with a single off that bounced high off third base in the fourth inning. He moved to third on a hit-and-run single by Mike Eylward before scoring on Curtis Pride's sacrifice fly to center, giving the Bees a 2-0 lead.
The RedHawks scored their lone run in the top of the sixth inning, aided by an error and a wild pitch. But the Bees responded immediately with a pair of runs in their half of the sixth on run-scoring hits by Mathis and Curtis Pride, giving Salt Lake a 4-1 advantage.
Salt Lake added an insurance run in the seventh on a run-scoring Morales single, his third hit of the night. That was more than enough to ensure the victory.
The same two teams will be in action tonight at Franklin Covey Field beginning at 6:30.
E-mail: lojo@desnews.com
