Johnson Homers in Bees Loss

SALT LAKE CITY (April 8, 2018) - After a rain delay paused the action for the second straight day, the Albuquerque Isotopes' bats stayed hot as the Salt Lake Bees were defeated for the third consecutive game, falling 11-4 Sunday afternoon at Smith's Ballpark.

It was also the third straight game that the Bees allowed double-digit hits as the Isotopes put up 15 hits on Bees pitching. Tom Murphy and Anthony Phillips each homered in the game as the visiting team clinched the series victory. The Salt Lake offense had 10 hits of its own, but finished just 3-for-9 with runners in scoring position. Jabari Blash and Rymer Liriano each doubled in the game and continued their respective hitting streaks to four games. Sherman Johnson was also strong at the plate, going 3-for-4 and blasting his first home run of the season.
 
Sam Howard (1-0) received the win for the Isotopes as the Bees' Alex Klonowski (0-1) was credited with the loss in the decision. Klonowski gave up four runs over four innings in his first start of the season. In the bullpen Jon Malmin was tagged for five runs in relief in his Triple-A debut, Taylor Cole gave up a pair of runs in one and two-thirds innings and Ian Krol tossed a scoreless ninth for the Bees. 
 
The Bees will conclude their season-opening home stand against the Isotopes Monday at 12:05 p.m. at Smith's Ballpark before heading to El Paso to start a seven-game road trip.