Last Time Out:

Salt Lake (4/28): The Bees lost 7-2 to the Sacramento River Cats and have now lost five in a row.  In the loss pitcher Matt Shoemaker pitched six innings, but gave up five earned runs.

Sky Sox (4/28): Colorado Springs lost their second straight game to the Tucson Padres and split the series.  In the 7-4 loss, Tyler Colvin had two RBIs and extended his hitting streak to 12 games.

 2012 Season Series (8-8):

This will be the first time the two teams have met this season, but last year the two teams split their season series.  Against the Bees in 2012 the Sky Sox had four games in which they scored 10 or more runs including a game in which they scored 22 runs.

Scouting Salt Lake:

The Bees began the year 10-3 and in first place of the Pacific Northern division.  Since then Salt Lake has lost nine of 11 games and have fallen to third place in the division.

Salt Lake is led by catcher Chris Snyder who has 21 RBIs in just 21 games.  The veteran is also second in the league in home runs with seven, only trailing Albuquerque’s Scott Van Slyke who has eight.

Recently joining the Bees’ lineup is former Colorado Rockies’ outfielder Brad Hawpe.  Hawpe has played in eight games for Salt Lake and is batting .241 with one home run and six RBIs.

The team’s pitching staff is headed by Billy Buckner who has three wins in five starts.  The 29-year old is also tied with AJ Schugel for the team lead in strikeouts at 25.

  Sky Sox Notes:

 TRANSACTIONS: Late yesterday afternoon, the Rockies announced that they have placed LH Christian Friedrich on the disabled list with back inflammation, retroactive to 4/26. Last season, Friedrich’s season was cut short after suffering a stress fracture in his lower back. Taking his spot on the roster is RH Cory Riordan who was called up from Double-A Tulsa. Riordan broke camp with the Sky Sox this year but was sent to Tulsa before the regular season started. With the Drillers, Riordan was 2-0 with a 3.14 in seven relief appearances. This is Cory’s third stint with the Sox having previously pitched for the team in 2011 (one start) and 2012 (13 games, nine starts).

 DH FOR A CHANGE: For the first time this season, after 21 games, the Sky Sox will be playing with the DH as they face off against their first American League affiliate of the season. In their history, the Sky Sox are 726-808 (.473) against American League affiliated teams.

 PAINT IT BLACK: Sky Sox centerfielder Charlie Blackmon is on a tear. So far this season the centerfielder has picked up where he left off last year for the Sky Sox (hit .303 in 59 games) hitting safely in 15 of his 16 starts. He is currently batting .375 (24-for-64) with two homers, two triples, five doubles, 13 RBIs and four stolen bases. He is also tied for third in the league in runs scored with 23.

  Series Schedule:

 4/29 @ SLC CSP RH Jeff Manship (1-1, 6.08)

6:35 PM MT SLC  RH Kip Wells (NR)

 4/30 @ SLC CSP LH Drew Pomeranz (3-0, 2.82)

6:35 PM MT SLC RH Orangel Arenas (1-3, 7.98)

 5/1 @ SLC CSP RH Justin Berg (1-0, 0.00)

6:35 PM MT SLC RH Billy Buckner (3-1, 4.61)

 5/2 @ SLC CSP RH Aaron Cook (1-0, 0.00)

6:35 PM MT SLC RH A.J. Schugel (0-1, 7.54)

PCL PACIFIC NORTH STANDINGS

Team                     W            L              PCT        GB          Vs.

Tacoma                 14           10           .583        –                0-0

SKY SOX             12           9              .571        -0.5           –

Salt Lake               12           12           .500        -2.0         0-0

Reno                       8             16           .333        -6.0          4-4