Late home run gives Bees win

It's that time of year. As the dog days of summer morph into the shorter, cooler autumn months, there's always one constant.

Pennant races.

The Bees so happen to find itself smack dab in the middle of one, which makes Friday's 7-4 comeback victory over the Portland Beavers that much more important for Salt Lake (62-57), as it clings to a Hollywood actress-thin one game lead in the Pacific Northern division. "As the season gets toward the end, we'll be feeling a little bit more urgency," Bees manager Brian Harper said.

Pedro Liriano (4-11, 5.85 ERA entering the game) pitched six innings of shutout ball, the second straight game in which he did not yield a run. Even though he did not get the win, he was vital.

"He's been pitching well for the last four or five outings," Harper said. "You could definitely say today was one of his better, if not best outings."

Liriano left after the sixth inning with the Bees sporting a 2-0 edge. Liriano's chance for a win was extinguished when Salt Lake pitcher Matt Wilhite allowed three runs in the top of seventh.

The Bees answered right back however, in the bottom of the inning. With two on and one out, Nick Gorneault demolished a ball to left for a three-run homer to regain the lead.

NOTES: Attendance for the game was 8,161. Salt Lake's Greg Porter extended his home hitting streak to 16 games. The game was televised on KJZZ 14.

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E-mail: nstorey@desnews.com