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Series recap: Bees win final series of the season in Albuquerque
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- Series recap: Bees win final series of the season in Albuquerque
Joel Hurtado throws the pitch. | Salt Lake Bees Photography
The Salt Lake Bees (28-46/67-81) ended their season in the Land of Enchantment this past week, looking to finish on a high note in Albuquerque. The squad from Utah did just that, taking four of six from the Isotopes (34-41/73-77) including a 20-hit, 14-run barrage in the 2026 season finale. The Land of Enchantment played host to the Bees' final hurrah of the campaign and created some much needed closure for the Bees in the 148-game season.
Series recap
Salt Lake brushed off the frustration of the final homestand, winning the first three games of the six-game set. The Bees used four walks and a single in the eighth on Tuesday to comeback from a 4-1 score, eventually winning 7-5 in 10 innings, their 15th extra-inning victory of the year. A pair of longballs, including one from Mr. September, Niko Kavadas , fueled Salt Lake to a 7-2 win. Joel Hurtado was brilliant on the mound in his last Triple-A effort of the year, allowing one run in five innings of work.
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The Bees made it three straight wins, taking Thursday's matinee 10-5. Raudi Rodriguez's three-hit, three RBI afternoon paced the side to the comfortable victory, never trailing in the day game. Mother Nature brought the win streak to a screeching halt, stopping Friday's game early in the sixth inning. Salt Lake could not generate much offense before the rain fell, while two unearned runs helped Albuquerque take a 3-0 win.
Weather again impacted action at Isotopes Park, delaying Saturday's showdown by an hour. Albuquerque's Edouard Julien drove in four runs as the Isotopes rolled to an 8-2 win. Logan Porter 's seventh-inning solo homer and Rodriguez' RBI single kept the Bees from being shutout for a second straight night. In the season finale, Salt Lake fell behind 5-0 after two Albuquerque homers off Sam Aldegheri . However, it would be the Bees who stole the show on Sunday, scoring 14 of the game's final 16 runs en route to a 14-7 victory. Five different Bees managed three-or-more hits on Sunday, led by Rodriguez's and Vera's four-hit ledgers.
The Salt Lake bullpen was excellent, allowing one earned run over the six innings of relief. Salt Lake's victory on Sunday secured the ninth series win of the year and gave them 67 total wins, their most in a campaign since the 2024 season. The Bees finished eighth in the final Pacific Coast League standings with a final record of 67-81 over their 148 games played.
Prospect watch
Nelson Rada, the Los Angeles Angels ' sixth-ranked prospect on their top-30 list, had himself a nice finish to the year. The outfielder, who will fight for a spot on the Angels' roster come Spring Training, finished the six-game set playing in all six games and batting 10-for-25 (.400) with three doubles, two of which came in the final game, three RBIs and five walks. He stole his 43rd base in the final game, putting him just one shy of Jordyn Adams ' single-season franchise record of 44, set in 2023. The left fielder also had another three-hit game, his fourth in September. With his performance, he extended his hitting streak to five games. Rada finished his full season as a Bee slashing .278/.376/.363 with a .739 OPS.
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Raudi Rodriguez, the Halos' 17th-ranked prospect, finished the season with his first career four-hit game at the Triple-A level, with all four hits coming on singles. He also extended his hitting streak to five games, getting things started in Sunday's contest with a base hit. Rodriguez finished the series going 10-for-26 (.385) with six RBIs, five walks, five strikeouts and four runs scored.
The outfielder didn't commit a single error in his 38 games played with Salt Lake. His stellar performance in the outfield looked a lot like his counterpart Nelson Rada, as both young outfielders will be fighting for a higher position within the Halos organization moving forward. Wednesday starter Joel Hurtado, ranked as the Angels' No. 27 prospect, delivered his fifth consecutive outing of five or more innings. Over 91 pitches, the right-hander allowed just one run on two hits while striking out four and walking four.
Hurtado would have preferred a stronger showing in his debut stint with Salt Lake, finishing with a 7.57 ERA, 30 strikeouts and 21 walks across 35.2 innings. Still, the Dominican Republic native showed his ability to go deep into games while relying on an impressive repertoire that continues to support his top-30 prospect status. Cutting down on the walks will be a key focus for Hurtado moving forward.
Around the bases
The Bees closed out another summer of baseball at The Ballpark at America First Square. From record-breaking crowds to firework shows that lit up the Utah sky, to theme nights and giveaways that connected the community, Bees fans had plenty of reasons to make their way to the ballpark throughout the season. With the season now wrapped up, fans should be excited that it's only 186 days until another great season of America's pastime in South Jordan.
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What's on deck
With the 2026 campaign officially in the books, Salt Lake looks ahead to Opening Day of the 2027 Pacific Coast League season. The Bees welcome the El Paso Chihuahuas to The Ballpark at America First Square on Friday, March 26, to open the third home schedule in South Jordan.
Raudi Rodriguez connects with the pitch. | Salt Lake Bees photography
Nelson Rada slides into second.
