Series recap: Punch for punch, Bees battle River Cats to opening split

... Bees baseball is back as Salt Lake welcomed the Sacramento River Cats, Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, for a six-game series at The Ballpark at America First Square, marking the second season of action in Daybreak. The two clubs split the 2025 season series at 12 games apiece, and it was more of the same to open 2026, with each side taking three games to begin Salt Lake’s home slate. Sacramento and Salt Lake each took home three victories this week, splitting the first of four six-game sets this season. The Bees opened up year two on Tuesday in The Ballpark at America First Square, taking their home opener 13-5. Wednesday saw the debut of the newest alternate identity: the Utah Dirty Sodas and despite reaching the five-run threshold for free Swig drinks, the Dirty Sodas fell to the River Cats 10-5. Consistent snowfall and near-freezing temperatures on Thursday created poor field conditions, postponing the game and setting up a Saturday doubleheader. But first, on Friday, the Bees narrowly held on for a 6-5 win and took the edge in the series. Both squads split Saturday’s twin bill, with Salt Lake securing a 5-4 win in game one on the first walk-off of the year, while Sacramento surged ahead 7-1 in the nightcap. Salt Lake let a late lead slip away in Sunday’s series finale that allowed the River Cats to score six runs over the final two frames. Sacramento’s 9-5 victory completed the six-game series and forced both teams to enjoy three wins a piece. Salt Lake sits at 3-6 and four games back of league leader, Las Vegas, after their first two series, while Sacramento is above .500 at 5-4 and two games back. Nelson Rada, the Los Angeles Angels’ second-ranked prospect on their top 30 list, was steady to start the home schedule. The Venezuelan went 4-for-16, good for a .250 average, with a double, three RBIs and three runs scored out of the top of the order. The Gold Glove outfielder showed his clutch ability, going 3-for-6 with runners in scoring position while playing stellar defense, committing no errors and handling all 12 chances in center field. Denzer Guzman, a shortstop from the Dominican Republic, entered his age 22 season on a torrid start, hitting two homers in the first four games of the season, and has since shown his top-prospect flashes. The Dominican hit 4-for-20 with a homer and a double for three RBIs and three runs scored. Guzman made a few higher-echelon plays from the shortstop position, showing his quick hands and feet. After throwing in the World Baseball Classic for a surprising Team Italy, Sam Aldegheri toed the rubber for game one of Saturday’s doubleheader. The Angels’ 16th-ranked prospect threw four innings of four-run baseball, allowing five hits and four walks, while punching out three. The southpaw threw 87 pitches in the outing. Right-handed pitcher Walbert Urena began the 2026 season with the big league club, throwing in two games with the Halos, picking up two strikeouts in 2 innings pitched. The 18th-ranked Angels prospect threw just his second game as a Bee, with his first coming on Sept. 19, 2025. The Dominican sinkerballer started on the bump in Friday’s game, twirling 3 innings of two-hit baseball, allowing two runs and four walks while punching out five River Cats. Wednesday’s game saw the debut and unveiling of the Utah Dirty Sodas, the first alternate identity of the Salt Lake Bees. Alternate identities are commonplace in minor league baseball, connecting the surrounding community with something unique and different. The Bees will take the field as the Utah Dirty Sodas every Wednesday home game, which comes with a $3 Swig special at The Ballpark on those nights. This week’s game on Wednesday, April 1, also saw the announcement of Swiggy, the newest mascot for the team. Swiggy, an anthropomorphic Swig Dirty Soda drink, popped out of the top of the batter’s eye to make its grand introduction. The Bees will hit the road, once again headed for the Silver State, as they did to start the 2026 season. This time, Salt Lake will take on the Reno Aces (Triple-A, Arizona Diamondbacks) for a six-game set inside Greater Nevada Field. The Bees will be back in action at The Ballpark at America First Square starting on April 14, where they will face the Sugar Land Space Cowboys, the Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros.