Daniel Nava – Photo Rob Gray
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH (June 15, 2016) – The Bees picked up their second victory in as many nights, rolling the Tacoma Rainiers by a score of 7-3. As a team Salt Lake batted .361 as every Bees starter reached base. Both Daniel Nava and Rafael Ortega finished with three-hit nights to lead Salt Lake offensively. Nava has recorded multiple hits in his three games as a Bee during his Major League rehabilitation assignment. His three-for-four night raised his Triple-A average to a remarkable .583.
“It helps to go into a clubhouse where you’re familiar with the guys,” said Nava who is in Salt Lake on a rehab tune-up before heading back to Anaheim. “(Bees Manager) Keith Johnson was with us in spring training. So not being completely out of your element definitely makes you a little more comfortable.”
Nate Smith – Photo Rob Gray
Nate Smith improved his record to 4-2 on the season after delivering six innings of one-run baseball tonight. In three starts against Tacoma this season Smith holds a team-best 2.21 ERA in 20.1 innings. The Bees ace scattered seven hits before handing the ball to Jose Valdez in the seventh inning. In just his third appearance in the Salt Lake uniform, Valdez tossed two scoreless innings, defending the seven-to-one lead. Greg Mahle closed it out in the ninth, spinning a double-play to end the game. The Bees will look to win the four-game series against Tacoma tomorrow afternoon at 12:05 pm.