Coon's defensive gem helps Salt Lake Bees snag a win

In the official play-by-play of Monday night's Salt Lake Bees vs. Tacoma Rainiers game, the final out in the top of the fourth inning reads, "Mike Carp flies out to center fielder Bradley Coon."

That doesn't come close do doing the play justice, however.

Coon, Salt Lake's speedy outfielder, made one of the best defensive plays in the franchise's history. In a line-drive ball hit over his head to the right-center gap, Coon sprinted toward the ball and then dove to make up the final couple of feet to make the grab. It saved at least two runs and was so spectacular that the 6,779 fans in attendance at Spring Mobile Ballpark gave Coon a second ovation after watching the replay on the big screen in the outfield.

The Rainiers were ahead and threatening to put the game out of reach before Coon's defensive gem. Instead, Salt Lake rallied for a 5-4 victory.

"That was an unbelievable catch," said Bees manager Bobby Mitchell. "That's probably the best catch of the year. For him to run straight back like that and then to go fully extended to catch it, that's not easy. That was going all out, full blast."

The Rainiers were leading 4-2 when Coon's catch saved at least two runs. In the next two innings the Bees scored three runs to take the lead for good.

"I was kind of playing shallow," said Coon. "I just turned and went after it. It was a big situation with two on and two outs. . . . I got a good jump and every inch helped out on that one."

Salt Lake, which has been struggling in recent weeks — falling behind Colorado Springs by 6.5 games in the standings — has now won two in a row to improve to 44-41. The team now hopes it means his team is getting back on the right track.

"Baseball is all about momentum," said Coon. "It's all contagious. Good defense leads to good offense and good offense leads to good defense. Hopefully we can keep it going."

Bees outfielder Terry Evans hit a run-scoring triple in the third inning, his second three-base hit in as many days. Evans, who was named to the Triple-A All-Star team for the second time in three years earlier this week, went 2-for-4, while designated hitter Nate Sutton went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs.

The same two teams will play again tonight in the series finale. Salt Lake is scheduled to start Trevor Bell (3-2, 4.36 ERA) against Tacoma lefty Ryan Rowland-Smith (2-3, 5.91).

The current homestand will continue Wednesday when Colorado Springs will come to town for a five-game set.