MWL1 Burlington Bees

Bees Roll Over D-Rays

Published on April 26, 2006 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Burlington Bees News Release


Battle Creek, MI (April 26, 2006) - Chris Nicoll struck out seven in a career-high 5.2 innings and earned his first professional win as the Burlington Bees (9-11) rolled past the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays (8-12) this afternoon at C.O. Brown Stadium. The Bees have won consecutive games for just the second time this season.

The Bees took advantage of nine walks issued by Rays' pitchers in the game. Starter Jason Cayton walked Josh Johnson to start the ballgame and after an error, a flyout, and a wild pitch, Johnson crossed the plate with the Bees' first run. After Nicoll struck out the side in the bottom of the first, the Bees opened up the game in the second. Valentino Arce led off with a double and Jose Duarte walked. After a couple flyout and a groundout, the Bees had runners on second and third with two away for Chris McConnell. McConnell had been 0-9 with runners in scoring position and two outs to start the year, but snapped that streak by ripping a double down the left field line to drive in two. After a walk to Mario Lisson, Kiel Thibault doubled to right to drive in two more and extend the Bees' lead to 5-0. Cayton allowed one more run in the fourth inning. Johnson laid down a bunt single, moved to third on a base hit by McConnell and scored when JT Hall lost Lisson's fly ball in the sun. Hall was charged with an error, but Lisson was credited with a sacrifice fly and an RBI.

Nicoll (1-1) was cruising on the mound. He allowed just one hit and struck out seven through five. In the bottom of the sixth, he got Neil Walton to popout, but Hall drove a triple off the base of the wall in centerfield to knock him out of the game. Yovany Damico took over and as he went to deliver his first pitch, the ball slipped out of his hands for a balk, allowing Hall to score. Damico finished the sixth and worked the seventh and allowed just one hit and one walk. Cody Harkcom struck out two and allowed a hit in the eighth and Chris Hayes worked a perfect ninth to finish off the win.

Billy Evers pitched three scoreless innings in relief for the Rays, walking one and hitting one. Drew Bigba finished the final two innings and allowed the final two runs in the eighth. He walked two in the eighth inning and Lisson drove in the runners with a double. Lisson is currently leading the Midwest League with 18 RBI for the year.

The Bees have won on back-to-back days for the first time this season. The first time the Bees won consecutive games was April 15th & 17th sandwiched around the off-day on Easter Sunday.

The Bees will attempt to win three in a row for the first time this season tomorrow night in game three of this series against the Devil Rays. RH Matt Kniginyzky (2-0, 2.52) will start for the Bees against LH Mike Wlodarczyk (0-1, 2.21) for the Rays. The game will start at 5:35 Central Time and will be broadcast live on KBUR AM 1490 and KBKB AM 1360 with the pre-game show starting at 5:15.

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Midwest League Stories from April 26, 2006


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