’Birds’ comeback bid falls short in Salt Lake City

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — A five-run deficit after two innings proved to be too much for the Redbirds in a 7-5 loss to the Salt Lake Bees (Triple-A Angels) Tuesday in Salt Lake City.

Memphis came back to within a run, but a lack of eighth-inning production moved the Redbirds to 1725 on the season.

Memphis stranded 10 runners and was 3-for-15 with runners in scoring position.

Dean Anna and Patrick Wisdom combined for four hits and three runs batted in, and Greg Garcia also had two hits. Both of Wisdom’s hits were doubles, and Garcia added a triple.

The Redbirds fell behind 6-1 after two innings, with Jeremy Hefner being victim of an error and some defensive lapses in a five-run second. But Hefner completed six innings, allowing just two singles in his last four innings.

The Redbirds added two runs in the third inning to make the score 6-3.

Corey Littrell relieved Hefner in the seventh and struck out the side.

In the eighth, Anna singled home Nick Martini, who doubled to start the inning, to make it 6-4, and Anna scored when Wisdom doubled. The Redbirds loaded the bases with no outs, but a lineout, a force out and a strikeout ended the Memphis threat.

The Bees (25-18) got their final run off Sam Tuivailala in the eighth.