Bees fall short in comeback against Albuquerque, 13-12


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SALT LAKE CITY — It has got to be tough when a player pitches for the first time.

The nerves, the preparation, the sheer enormity of having a game come down on your shoulders; it’s something that has to intimidate. However, imagine starting for the first time in Triple-A. That’s exactly what Salt Lake pitcher Michael Brady had to face when he started for the first time in his professional career, and it showed, with the Bees ultimately falling just short to the Albuquerque Isotopes, 13-12, in a matinée game at Smith’s Ballpark.

Bees manager Keith Johnson said he was proud of his team’s effort, despite the loss.

“We did a good job offensively,” Bees manager Keith Johnson said. “Even though we gave up that big 11-run first inning, we still had 27 outs to try and score 11 runs. We will do everything we can. We will take the extra base, bunt, try to get extra base runners and do all those things to get guys on. Our guys did a good job clawing back early, but came up just short in the end.”

Brady, who was drafted into the Marlins organization in 2009, played as an infielder before changing to pitcher in 2010. Veteran pitcher Joe Martinez was slated to start for Salt Lake, but Johnson said he voluntarily retired Saturday — necessitating Brady’s start. Bees manager Keith Johnson noted Brady’s inexperience as a starter showed.


"We did a good job offensively," Bees manager Keith Johnson said. "Even though we gave up that big 11-run first inning, we still had 27 outs to try and score 11 runs. We will do everything we can."

“He (Brady) was behind the eight-ball a little bit,” he said. “He hadn’t pitched in like five days, and it was his first start of any kind since he’s been a pro … but I have no doubts that next time we put him out there that he’s going to take the ball and he’s going to run with it.”

The Bees gave up 11 runs in the first inning to the Isotopes but only surrendered two runs after that. Salt Lake trailed 13-11 going into the bottom of the ninth inning, and left-fielder Roberto Lopez scored to cut the deficit to a single run. However, Taylor Lindsey grounded out to end the Bees’ comeback hopes.

Salt Lake third baseman Grant Green, who went 3-for-4 with three RBIs in the game, said it’s important for teams to continue playing, regardless of the situation.

“It’s huge (for us to keep fighting),” he said. “It’s something the big club wants to see, and you try to put quality at-bats together no matter what, whether up 11 or down 11. So, it’s just something that you try to fight, and we definitely showed ourselves, showed Albuquerque that no matter what the score is, we’re going to go out and fight to at least give us a chance to win at the end.”

Albuquerque finished with 17 hits in the game, while Salt Lake finished with 14 hits. Isotopes reliever Justin Souza earned his first career win, giving up four runs over two and one-third innings, while Brady earned the loss.

The Bees and Isotopes play the third game of a four-game series Monday at Smith’s Ballpark. Albuquerque right-hander Zach Lee will face off against Salt Lake’s Matt Shoemaker, with the first pitch scheduled for 6:35 p.m.

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