MWL1 Burlington Bees

Bees End Season with a Win

Published on September 3, 2007 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Burlington Bees News Release


Clinton, IA (September 3, 2007) - Jeff Bianchi's two-run double in the sixth inning gave the Burlington Bees (31-38, 61-77) the final advantage for a 7-5 win over the Clinton LumberKings (29-41, 70-67) in a back-and-for battle at Alliant Energy Field this afternoon. The Bees haven't qualified for the playoffs, but did get a win in their final home game and final game overall.

The Bees got on the board first in the bottom of the first inning. Kurt Mertins drew a leadoff walk, Bianchi singled, and Brady Everett walked to load the bases. Mertins scored as Jeff Howell grounded into a double play and the Bees had an early 1-0 lead. The LumberKings responded with two runs in the bottom of the first to take the lead away. Marcus Lemon led off with a double and scored on a triple by K.C. Herren. Chad Tracy followed with a base hit to drive in Herren and put the LumberKings on top 2-1. LumberKings' starter Beau Jones came out two outs into the top of the second inning as he got a short tune-up for the post-season. John Hollis took over and worked through into the fifth inning.

The Bees came back to tie the game in the top of the fourth inning. Jase Turner led off with a double and scored on a two-out single by Vinny Pennell. The LumberKings took the lead right back in the bottom of the fourth inning when Tracy led off with a homer against Bees' starter Everett Teaford. The Bees came back in the top of the fifth inning. Mertins drew a leadoff walk, stole second, and went to third on a single by Bianchi. Bianchi would steal second before Everett drove in Mertins with a sacrifice fly to right to tie the game at three. John Slusarz came to replace Hollis for Clinton. Bianchi then stole third and scored on a sacrifice fly by Howell to put the Bees up 4-3.

Clinton came right back in the bottom of the fifth inning. Lemon led off with a triple and scored on a base hit by Jose Vallejo. Vallejo then stole second and scored on a two-out single by Chris Kemp and the LumberKings led 5-4. The Bees would mount the final rally in the top of the sixth. Ryan Angel pinch-hit for Turner and drew a leadoff walk. With one out, he moved to second on a groundout and with two outs, he advanced to third on a wild pitch. Pennell walked to chase Slusarz from the game and the LumberKings brought in Julio Santana. Mertins followed with a ground ball to shortstop that Lemon booted for an error allowing Angel to score to tie the game and keep the inning alive for Bianchi. After Mertins stole second, Bianchi hit a bouncing ball just inside the bag a third for his third hit of the game and two RBI. The runs were charged to Slusarz (1-7) who got the loss while Santana was charged with his first blown save. Santana would work the seventh while Jeremiah Haar and Chris Dennis each tossed a scoreless inning as the LumberKings used six pitchers in the contest.

Teaford (6-8) came out after five and got the win when the Bees bullpen shut down Clinton for the rest of the game. Angelo Morales pitched two scoreless innings and Henry Barrera finished the final two innings, striking out the side in the ninth for his fourth save. The win snaps a four-game losing streak for the Bees as well.

The Bees thank all of the fans, sponsors, and volunteers that contributed to a fine 2007 season and look forward to Opening Day of 2008!

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Midwest League Stories from September 3, 2007


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