Bees looking for postseason success

In the 14 years since triple-A baseball returned to Salt Lake City, the Buzz/Stingers/Bees have been a remarkably consistent, successful franchise during the regular season. Salt Lake won yet another division title this season, landing it an eighth playoff appearance since 1994.

Getting to the postseason has been the rule rather than the exception. Success in the playoffs, however, hasn't followed.

Once a team qualifies for the playoffs, it need only win two series to become the Pacific Coast League champions. Salt Lake hasn't done it since 1979. In fact, the Buzz/Stingers/new Bees have won only three first-round series — and are 0-3 in the PCL finals.

The Bees will get another chance to improve on their spotty postseason record beginning today when they open the best-of-5 PCL Pacific Conference championship at home against the Sacramento River Cats. First pitch is set for just after 7 p.m.

"I know we are ready," said veteran Bees outfielder Nick Gorneault, "especially after last year. Being disappointed and not getting through that first round, we have bigger goals this year."

Having playoff success won't be easy. Salt Lake limped into the postseason, losing five of their final seven games during the regular season. Sacramento, meanwhile, won 10 more games than the Bees during the regular season and has the homefield advantage, with a possible three games at Raley Field in California's state capital city.

"They've won the second most games in the league, so you would have to say they are favored in this series," said Bees manager Brian Harper of the River Cats.

Still, there is plenty of optimism in the Salt Lake clubhouse. The Bees can point to their 8-8 record against Sacramento during the regular season to show that the teams are evenly matched. Plus, only one team — the Bees — has the best pitcher in the American League two years ago starting Game 1. Bartolo Colon, the 2005 Cy Young Award winner with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, will pitch tonight on an injury rehab start. He's already shown his dominance against triple-A opponents this year, going 2-0 with a 2.40 ERA in three starts with the Bees.

"You like your chances with Bartolo Colon," said Harper with a smile. "He probably can pitch in triple-A."

Gorneault agrees.