Salt Lake Bees pitchers continue to put distance between themselves and the rest of the Pacific Coast League in one key category as a team.

Unfortunately for the Bees, it's not something to be proud of.

The Bees have given up more home runs than any other team in the PCL — 133 and counting. It continued on Monday night as Spring Mobile Ballpark, as the Nashville Sounds blasted three more tape-measure shots over the outfield fence during an 11-4 win over the Bees.

The loss drops the Bees to 58-59 on the season. They are now four games behind PCL Northern Division-leading Colorado Springs.

"If we're going to win this thing, we're going to have to pitch better," said Bees manager Bobby Mitchell.

Nashville center fielder Corey Patterson was the biggest thorn in the side of the Bees pitchers. Two of his three hits were home runs, and he finished the night with five RBIs.

"That's a good hitting team out there," said Mitchell of Nashville. "Patterson looked like tonight he doesn't belong in this league. He's a good player."

The Bees actually got off to a good start. Terry Evans led off the bottom of the first with a double to center and, after moving to third on a passed ball, scored on a Chris Pettit groundout. But the Bees managed only one run in the inning, as they stranded runners on second and third.

A solo home run by Adam Pavkovich in the second gave the Bees a 2-0 lead, but once again a base runner was later stranded at third.

After two perfect innings to start the game, Bees pitcher Brad Knox was pounded in the third and fourth innings. He gave up eight runs on nine hits to drop to 6-7 on the season with the loss.

The Bees had a chance to try to climb back into the game in the bottom of the fourth when they loaded the bases. But Brandon Wood's would-be grand slam only made it to the warning track in left field and was caught for the third out of the inning.

Bees relievers Rafael Rodriguez and Robert Mosebach each gave up a home run in a single inning of work late in the game, as the Sounds pulled away for good.

The Bees and the Sounds will play tonight at 7 in the third game of their four-game set. Brad Salmon (4-3, 5.28 ERA) is scheduled to pitch against Nashville lefty Chris Cody (5-6, 4.33).

BEES WAX: The Bees have now used 32 different pitchers this season, a franchise record. The previous record before this season was 30. … Bees infielder Freddy Sandoval, who has been out since May 29 with an injured left wrist that required surgery, is currently rehabbing in Tempe, Ariz. and could be ready to return to the team soon. … Catcher Ben Johnson has been placed on the disabled list with a right oblique strain, while infielder Luis Figueroa has come off the disabled list to replace him. Johnson has hit .262 in 33 games for the Bees.

e-mail: lojo@desnews.com