MWL1 Burlington Bees

Bees get first win vs. Peoria

Published on June 29, 2006 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Burlington Bees News Release


Peoria, IL (June 29, 2006) Jeff Howell tied a season-high with three hits, including a solo homer, and drove in three as the Burlington Bees (3-5, 38-37) beat the Peoria Chiefs (4-4, 45-32) 6-5 at O'Brien Field tonight. Howell has three home runs this season and two have come against Chiefs starter Mitch Atkins. Tonight was the Bees first win against the Chiefs this season after Peoria won all eight head-to-head match-ups in the first half. The Bees have won three of their last four games, with all three runs coming by just one run. The team is 13-10 in one-run games overall.

Howells solo home run led off the top of the second inning to get the Bees on the board. The Chiefs answered with a run in the bottom of the second. Ryan Norwood led off with a double and scored on a two-out single by Ryne Malone. The Chiefs took the lead in the third on an unearned run. With two outs, Mark Reed was hit by a pitch, moved to second on a passed ball, and scored on a single by Jesus Valdez. Those were the only runs allowed by spot starter Rayner Oliveros (4-2) in five innings tonight. Oliveros was filling in for an injured Matt Kniginyzky and was making his first start since May 2nd.

The Bees took the lead back in the top of the fifth inning. With one out, Jose Duarte singled and reached second when shortstop Dylan Johnston dropped the throw to second base on his stolen base attempt. After a walk to Josh Johnson, Carlos Arroyo lined a single to center to drive in Duarte with the tying run. Mario Lisson reached on a fielders choice as Arroyo was forced out at second, but stole second base and after a walk to Miguel Vega, Howell lined a single into center that drove in Johnson and Arroyo to put the Bees on top 4-2. The final two runs came in the top of the sixth inning. With one out, Valentino Arce doubled and Duarte hit a slow groundball in the hole between first and second. Ryne Malone ranged far to field the ball, but slipped as he threw and the ball went through first base and rolled toward the dugout allowing Arce to score and Duarte to get to second. Johnson followed with a base hit to drive in Duarte and knocked Atkins (6-2) out of the game. Jesse Estrada came in and got out of the inning and worked 2.2 scoreless innings of relief. Jon Mueller finished the ninth and allowed one hit.

Eliezer Garcia replaced Oliveros for the bottom of the sixth inning. Garcia issued a leadoff walk to Valdez and a single to Norwood to star the inning. Kyle Reynolds reached on a fielders choice as Norwood was forced at second base. Yusuf Carter drove in a run with a single and a wild pitch moved the runners to second and third before Malone doubled to left-center, driving in two, and cutting the Bees lead to 6-5. That would be the last baserunner the Chiefs would get. Garcia got a strikeout and a flyout to end the sixth and struck out the first two batters in the seventh. Chris Hayes got a flyout to end the inning and set the Chiefs down in order in the eighth. Gilbert De La Vara struck out one in a perfect ninth for his team-leading eighth save.

The Bees and Chiefs will continue this series tomorrow night at 6:30 at O'Brien Field. RH Chris Nicoll (3-5, 2.84) will start for the Bees against RH Scott Taylor (3-3, 3.57) for the Chiefs. The game will be broadcast live on KBUR AM 1490 and KBKB AM 1360 with the pre-game show starting at 6:10.

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Midwest League Stories from June 29, 2006


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