Bees Rally Back to Complete Sweep of Topes

The Salt Lake Bees (22-13) rallied back from a four-run deficit to complete a sweep of the Albuquerque Isotopes (18-18) with an 8-6 victory Friday night at Smith's Ballpark.

The Bees had an opportunity to take an early lead in the second, but Isotopes right fielder Jordan Patterson was able to throw out Salt Lake's Kaleb Cowart trying to score from third base to keep the game scoreless.

Cowart got revenge in the fourth inning by hitting a RBI single to put the Bees ahead 1-0. Salt Lake had a chance for more runs that frame, but center fielder Brandon Barnes made a fully extended-diving catch to end the inning.

The Bees added another run in the fifth inning, before the Topes' bats woke up in the sixth scoring six runs to take a 6-2 lead. Mike Tauchman drew a bases-loaded walk to bring home the first run and Tom Murphy followed him by blasting a grand slam past left-center field to put Albuquerque ahead. The final run of the fame came around on Jordan Patterson's RBI single to left.

Salt Lake wasted little time responding to the Topes' big inning by scoring four of its own to knot things up at 6-6. Former Isotope Nick Buss belted a solo home run in the seventh and the Bees scored one more run in that inning to put them back on top. The two runs came against reliever Miguel Castro who was making his first rehab appearance with Albuquerque.

The Topes return home to Isotopes Park to begin an eight-game homestand starting tomorrow against the Round Rock Express (Triple-A Rangers). Matt Flemer (3-0, 3.86) is scheduled to pitch for Albuquerque, while right-hander Nick Martinez (3-1, 3.71) is slated to pitch for the Express. Tomorrow's game at Isotopes Park will get underway at 7:05 p.m.