MWL1 Burlington Bees

Bees Earn First Sweep, 5-4 over Wisconsin

Published on June 24, 2012 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Burlington Bees News Release


BURLINGTON, Iowa (6/24/12) - Once again the Burlington Bees (35-37, 3-0) came back in the second half of a game and reclaimed a lead to defeat the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (44-28, 0-3) with a 6-to-5 score. Not only did the win mark the fifth consecutive victory for the Bees, it also gave them their first series sweep over an opponent this season.

The Bees had won three consecutive games twice this season and had been in position to sweep an opponent five times, but came into Sunday's game with fresh bristles on their brooms. The Bees even had a chance to sweep a four game series with Clinton, but failed to win game three of a four game set in May. But Sunday's win gave them that elusive sweep and leaves the Bees undefeated in the second half.

Max Muncy made his professional debut for the Bees on Sunday after signing with the A's following this year's draft. The A's drafted the first baseman out of Baylor University in the fifth round and signed him to a deal last week.

Muncy wasted no time and left a big impression when he launched a two run home run to right-centerfield in the second inning. The Bees took a brief 2-to-0 lead before allowing a run in the third.

Drew Granier made the start for the Bees and looked great through the first four innings. Unfortunately the Bees defense committed an error in the fifth and a couple soft singles led to the Timber Rattlers' three run inning and 4-to-2 lead after five. The Bees eventually committed three errors and ended a five-game, 49-inning errorless streak. Granier (9-3) took a no-decision after pitching five innings and allowing six hits and four runs (two earned).

But the Bees' offense helped Granier by waking up in the bottom of the sixth. After only having one hit through five innings, the Bees dropped four consecutive hits to open their half of the sixth. Rashun Dixon delivered a big blow when he crushed a two-run double off the leftfield wall to tie the game.

Muncy improved on his first impression by lofting an RBI single into left-centerfield to give the Bees a 5-to-4 lead. Dixon finished the game going 1-for-2 with a double, two runs, and two RBIs. Muncy was the player of the game in his first professional game and went 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBIs.

The Bees' sixth inning rally meant the Bees reclaimed a lead against Timber Rattlers at least once in all three games. They took a late lead in the eighth inning of game one; they took another in the seventh of game two; and they did again in the sixth on Sunday.

The bullpen was nearly perfect for the fifth straight game. Chas Mye (2-0) earned his second win after pitching 1.1 scoreless innings. Mye, Jeff Urlaub, and newcomer Tanner Peters pitched four scoreless innings, with Urlaub getting his first save and Peters striking out four in his Bees' debut. The Bees' pen has pitched 18.1 consecutive scoreless innings.

The Bees try to make it six straight wins when they commute to Cedar Rapids to play the Kernels at 6:35 p.m. A.J. Cole (2-0) gets the start in game one of the three-game series. For information on Bees baseball call (319) 754-5705 or visit www.gobees.com.

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Midwest League Stories from June 24, 2012


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