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MLB

Series Preview: Bees at New Orleans Zephyrs

By Rob Wass
May 7, 2013

Winless in the last five series, the Bees (15-17) look to rebound against the last-place New Orleans Zephyrs (14-15) as Salt Lake begins a 16-game stretch against the American Conference.

After winning the opening game, the Bees dropped the final three games against the Tucson Padres in the previous series, leaving them winless in a series since mid-April. In that time, the Bees have split two series and lost three. The Zephyrs split the team's last series against the Albuquerque Isotopes

The new heart of the Bees lineup hasn't disappointed in recent weeks. Luis Rodriguez, the frequent no. 3 hitter, is tied for the team lead in home runs (4) and is third on the team in average (.312). Cleanup hitter Efren Navarro shares the home run lead with Rodriguez, and is leading the team with his .333 batting average. The steady-handed Navarro has also chipped in his always-stellar defense, with a .989 fielding percentage.

After struggling for weeks, the Bees pitching rotation may have turned a corner during the Tucson series, with Billy Buckner and Orangel Arenas delivering quality starts, and Matt Shoemaker throwing seven strong innings in the team's only victory. A.J. Schugel will take the mound in Game 1 against the Zephyrs looking to build on his recent stretch of quality performances. Over his last two starts, Schugel has thrown 12.1 innings, striking out 10 while giving up just four runs.

It has been a season of uneven performances for the Zephyrs on offense. Despite a .245 batting average, first baseman Ben Lasater leads the team with 18 runs driven in. Third baseman and former Salt Lake Bee Ed Lucas leads the team in home runs with five, but has managed only nine RBI on the season. New Orleans' most consistent performer, outfielder Matt Diaz, was called up to Miami on May 2. Now a 13-year major league veteran, Diaz was leading the team with a .341 average and a .385 on-base percentage.

Brad Hand, owner of a 1-9 career record with the Marlins, has been spectacular for the Zephyrs this season. Despite a brief call-up to Miami, he leads the squad with 32.2 innings, and has posted a 2.76 ERA in six starts, going 2-2 in the process. Jacob Turner, long a top prospect with the Tigers and the Marlins, has scuffled this season, going 1-3 with a 5.76 ERA in six starts.

Each game of the four-game series will start at 6 p.m. MT. The Bees will continue on to face the Oklahoma City RedHawks in Oklahoma after four in New Orleans. All games can be heard on 1280 the Zone and at slbees.com.