Homestand Begins Against Omaha

The home stretch of the 2011 season is underway for the Salt Lake Bees. The team opens up a four-game set against the Omaha Storm Chasers while playing the final 17 of 21 games at home. The Bees return to Salt Lake after going 4-4 during an eight-game southwestern road trip, and stand at 55-64 on the season, trailing first place Reno by 11.5 games. Omaha currently leads the American North Division with a 65-53 record.

Outfielder Jeremy Moore emerged as the star of the series in Albuquerque. Moore hit safely in all four games, and in the finale drove in four runs on two home runs, including his second inside-the-park home run of the year. Moore tied Peter Bourjos's franchice record for inside-the-park home runs set last season. For the season, Moore currently sits at 19 doubles, 14 triples and 12 home runs. It is the fourth consecutive season that Moore has logged double digits in all of those categories. The outfielder from Shreveport, La. needs just four more triples to tie Chone Figgins' franchise record for triples in a season with 18.

Catcher Hank Conger has been a catalyst for the Bees offense since being sent down from the Angels in July. In 22 games, Conger has hit .321 with four doubles, five home runs and 26 RBI. The numbers are even more impressive when men are on base. When the bases are empty, Conger is hitting just .205 with one solo home run. With men on base, the numbers jump to .429 and four home runs.

The Bees pitching staff will send Bear Bay to the mound to start the series. Bay is second in the Pacific Coast League in walks-per-nine innings ratio 1.93. In over 121.1 innings pitched, Bay has issued just 26 base on balls. The rotation will continue with Trevor Bell on Saturday night. Bell has only been credited with one win in his four starts since rejoining the team, but Salt Lake is a perfect 4-0 with him on the mound since his July return. Jerome Williams will pitch on Sunday night. Williams is 6-2 in 10 appearances this season and has struck out 52 batters in 64.2 innings of work. Matt Palmer will finish off the series on Monday night. Palmer will be looking to get back on track. Prior to a dismal game in Albuquerque, the veteran right hander had won his last four starts.

Off the field, there will be plenty of fun promotions for the fans. Friday night will feature a Bumble bobblehead giveaway, Saturday night the Jazz Bear will be on hand to entertain and Monday night is Harmons team poster giveaway and postgame autograph night. Tickets are available for all games during the homestand by calling (801) 325-BASE or logging on to slbees.com where tickets are available with no online fees.