The Salt Lake Bees equaled a franchise record on Monday night, but it was hardly one about which they'll boast.

The Bees' 6-2 home loss to the Fresno Grizzlies marked the 40th consecutive game that Salt Lake has failed to reach double figures in runs scored. For a usually strong-hitting team that plays home games on an offensive-friendly diamond like Spring Mobile Ballpark, that's not a good sign.

In fact, the only other time the franchise had a similar stretch without 10 or more runs in a game came in 2003 — during a season in which the old Stingers finished seven games under .500.

Salt Lake has never gone 41 games without a double-digit offensive outburst — but it can do that tonight. And the Bees will get that dubious distinction if they swing the bats like they did on Monday.

Salt Lake managed only six hits off of Fresno starter Ramon Ortiz and reliever Felix Romero.

"It was just a bad all-around game for us," said Bees manager Bobby Mitchell.

The Grizzlies pounded 13 hits and were aided by four Salt Lake errors.

Despite that, Salt Lake had the bases full in the bottom of the ninth with the tying run at the plate when Bees catcher Ben Johnson popped out to end the game.

"Right now we're not able to string a lot of hits together, which you need to put up a big inning," said Mitchell, whose team has been hampered by call-ups to the parent Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and by injuries.

"I'm not sure we're actually capable of putting together big innings with who we have right now, but that's not to saying they are not giving it their best."

Despite the lack of offensive firepower in recent weeks, the Bees are still above .500 at 50-46 and within reach of first-place Colorado Springs. Monday's loss, in fact, ended a three-game Bees winning streak.

"We're chugging along. We're pushing along and we're grinding," said veteran Bees player Adam Pavkovich. "That's all you can ask a team to do. We need everybody together on the same page so we can put some wins together and get the ball rolling."

The same two teams will play the second game of their four-game set Tuesday night. Mike MacDonald (5-10, 5.68 ERA) is scheduled to starter against Fresno's Matt Kinney (5-9, 5.77).

BEES WAX: The Bees will feature fireworks shows following three games this week in celebration of the Days of '47. They will have pyrotechnics on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. … Bobby Wilson was optioned back to the Bees on Monday after spending the previous nine days with the parent Angels. Wilson, usually a catcher, was back in time to start for the Bees at first base. During his stint with the Angels, Wilson played in just one game for two innings and didn't get an at-bat. Meanwhile, outfielder Coby Smith has been sent back down to Double-A Arkansas. … Attendance at Monday's game was 7,322.

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