Another slow start stings Salt Lake Bees in loss to Colorado Springs

SALT LAKE CITY — Another slow start, another setback for the Salt Lake Bees.

Sunday's 8-3 loss to Colorado Springs at Spring Mobile Ballpark followed a developing script.

The visiting Sky Sox, who also prevailed in Saturday's series opener by taking a quick lead, scored all of their runs early — increasing a glaring shortcoming by Salt Lake. The Bees have now been outscored 181-145 over the first five innings this season.

"We're falling behind too quickly, obviously, in a lot of games," said Bees manager Bobby Mitchell. "We're just giving up too many runs early."

Colorado Springs racked up seven hits over the first two innings. Five were RBI singles, including two by Dexter Fowler and a pair from Matt Miller. Cole Garner had the other one.

Leading 5-0, the Sky Sox added a three-run homer by Travis Metcalf in the fifth to put the game well out of reach.

"It puts a damper on the momentum we are trying to create," Mitchell said.

Even so, Salt Lake did manage to put some runs on the board. Paul McAnulty got things started with a solo blast in the bottom of the inning.

The Bees made it 8-3 in the seventh when Nick Gorneault drove in two runs with a double.

The outburst, ironically, increased Salt Lake's scoring advantage from the sixth inning and beyond to a 129-95 margin this year.

"Hitting gets contagious," Mitchell said before noting that sometimes it's not enough to overcome a big deficit early.

"If we're close in the game, it's a different story," he said. "Maybe."

Salt Lake starter Trevor Reckling (4-5) took the loss after giving up 10 hits, eight runs (seven earned) in 4 2/3 innings. Colorado Springs righthander Alan Johnson (5-2) earned the win. The starting pitcher scattered seven hits over seven complete innings.

The series continues tonight at 7:05. Salt Lake RHP Sean O'Sullivan (5-4, 4.71 ERA) and Colorado Springs LHP Josh Muecke (1-3, 6.37 ERA) are the scheduled starters.

BEES WAX: The attendance was 5,134. … Sky Sox pitching coach Doug Linton was 4-4 with a 5.99 ERA while playing for the Salt Lake Buzz in 1998. … Mark Trumbo singled in the seventh to extend his streak of reaching base safely to 14 consecutive games at Spring Mobile Ballpark.

e-mail: dirk@desnews.com