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MWL1 Burlington Bees

Bees Blow out Wisconsin to Snap Losing Streak

August 17, 2018 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Burlington Bees News Release


Burlington, IA. - The winning feeling was finally back in the clubhouse for the Burlington Bees (15-34), as they ended their seven game losing streak in a 7-1 win over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (27-25,58-63). Zack Kelly (3-3) picked up his third win of the season for a solid appearance in relief. Kelly went two and two thirds innings, allowed just one hit and a walk, and struck out two. Wilfred Salaman (0-2) had another rough start against the Bees, going just three innings, allowing seven runs, six of which were earned, seven hits, threw three walks, and four strikeouts.

Bees capture momentum with three run first

After getting shutout in the series finale against Kane County, the Bees were looking to start this game off on a positive note for their offense, and that's exactly what happened. Leonardo Rivas led the offense off with a triple to center for his seventh triple this season, and Orlando Martinez drove him in two pitches later on a single to left to make the score 1-0. Kevin Williams Jr then made it three hits in a row on a single to left, and Martinez and Williams Jr got to second and third after a wild pitch from Salaman. Spencer Griffin made Salaman pay for the wild pitch by sending a ball to center for a two run single to give the Bees a 3-0 lead.

Lutz drives in number 57 in third

Oliver Ortega came into the third having a good amount of confidence after getting out of a bases loaded one out jam in the second inning. However, Ortega had a rough start to this inning as well, giving up a leadoff walk to Darren Seferina. Seferina advanced to second on his eleventh steal of the season, and then went to third after a balk. Tristen Lutz then hit a hard grounder to Rivas at short, but Rivas couldn't quite beat Lutz with his throw, and he reached on an infield single. Seferina also managed to score on the play to give Lutz his 57th RBI of the season, making the score 3-1.

Bees take full advantage of walks

Salaman really put himself in a jam in the bottom of the fourth after he walked Keinner Pina, Tim Millard, and Kiki Menendez to load the bases with no outs. Julio Garcia got in the first run of the inning on a single to center to score Pina, making the score 4-1 Burlington. Alvaro Rubalcaba then opened the game wide open after hitting a single to left, that allowed Millard and Menendez to score, giving Burlington a 6-1 lead. Garcia and Rubalcaba would each jump a base after Lutz misplayed the grounder in left, putting runners on second and third with no outs.

After a strikeout from Rivas, Martinez delivered his second hit of the game on a little blooper to shallow center. However, Garcia tried to score on the play, but was thrown out at home to give the Bees their second out of the inning. Luckily, Rubalcaba was able to advance to third on the single and was able to score on a wild pitch, giving the Bees a 7-1 lead.

Wantz and Del Rosario keeps Wisconsin off the board

After Kelly put in his work for the evening, the Bees went with one of their best relivers Andrew Wantz to keep Burlington ahead. However, Wantz ran into some problems, after getting the first two hitters of the inning. Wantz gave up a two out double to Nic Pierre and then walked Seferina and Lutz to load the bases. Wantz was able to regain his focus though and struck out Eddie Silva on three pitches to get out of the inning with no damage done.

Eduardo Del Rosario then took over in the eighth and managed to finish the game after retiring all six batter he faced, four of which were strikeout victims.

Griffin ends RBI drought

After going eight straight games without driving in a run, Spencer Griffin ended that last night with his big two run single in the first inning. Griffin continues to see the ball well, as he now has at least two hits in a game, in four of his last ten, and has a hit seven out of his last ten.

Orlando Martinez also had another good night at the plate, despite striking out twice, Martinez did deliver two hits, one of which drove in a run in the first. Burlington will need these two hitters along with Williams Jr to produce in the top of the lineup.

You will be missed Aaron

Last night wasn't just another baseball game at Community Field, as the entire stadium gave a moment of silence for former Bees pitcher Aaron Cox, who passed away on Wednesday. Cox was drafted by the Angels back in the 19th round of the 2015 MLB draft and appeared in 33 games with the Bees back in 2016. Cox finished with a 3-2 record, posted a 3.94 ERA, and finished the season with ten saves before getting called up to pitch for the Inland Empire 66ers. Along with the moment of silence, the Bees hung a jersey with the number 19 on it to honor Cox during the game.

The number 19 jersey hanging next to the Bees dugout

Looking Ahead

The Bees will look to have a similar ending to last night's game, when they battle Wisconsin again at 6:30 pm. The Bees are expected to start Austin Krzeminski, who is 4-5 with an impressive 2.14 ERA. Krzeminski has appeared in 35 games for the Bees but has only started one game this season. Wisconsin is expected to start Nelson Hernandez, who has started 24 games for the Timber Rattlers, won ten of them and lost eight, while posting a 4.93 ERA. Hernandez has allowed 137 hits this season, so Burlington will hopefully be able to see the ball well like last night and get a lot of velocity on their hits.

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