MWL1 Burlington Bees

Bees Win on Walkoff Balk

Published on May 10, 2007 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Burlington Bees News Release


Burlington, IA (May 10, 2007) - With the game tied in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Burlington Bees (14-18) got a 4-3 walk-off win over the Clinton LumberKings (19-13) at Community Field tonight when Kurt Mertins was awarded home plate on an interference/balk call. Scott Lucas was at first base and took off to steal second as Jon Hollis delivered to the plate. Clinton catcher Manny Pina jumped in front of home plate to receive the pitch prompting home plate umpire Brad Myers to invoke rule number 7.07 that indicates interference on the play and an automatic balk on the pitcher to bring in the winning run. The Bees have now won two in a row in this series and three in a row overall at home.

Clinton got on the board first with a run in the top of the second inning. John Whittleman led off with a double and scored on a one-out single by K.C. Herren. The hit gave the LumberKings a 1-0 lead and extended Herren's hitting streak to ten games. The Bees tied the game in the bottom of the inning. With one out, Joe Dickerson singled, Mertins walked, and Jase Turner lined a single to right to bring Dickerson in to score. Dickerson has reached base safely by hit or walk in every Bees' home game this season.

In the top of the fourth inning, Bees' starter Everett Teaford recorded two quick outs before the LumberKings rallied to take the lead back. Herren tripled and Jay Haefner walked in front of a two-run double to the wall in right-center by Manny Pina that put the LumberKings back on top 3-1. Teaford didn't allow another run as he worked into the sixth inning. With two on and two outs in the sixth, Teaford gave way to Aaron Hartsock who struck out Craig Gentry to end the inning.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, Clinton starter Omar Poveda issued a leadoff walk to Chris McConnell. McConnell stole second and when Pina's throw skipped into centerfield for an error, McConnell advanced to third. With one out, Michael Thompson blooped a base hit into shallow center to bring in McConnell and get the Bees to within one at 3-2. With Dickerson at the plate, Pina threw behind Thompson at first and knowing he was caught, Thompson took over for second. Mauro Gomez didn't realize Thompson was running and threw late to second as Thompson flopped in with his first stolen base of the season. After Dickerson struck out, Mertins lined a base hit to left that brought in Thompson and tied the game.

The LumberKings loaded the bases with two outs against Hartsock in the seventh, but didn't score. Hartsock (1-1) went on to retire the side in order in the eighth and ninth innings and picked up the win. Brennan Garr replaced Poveda in the seventh and pitched two scoreless innings. Hollis (1-1) gave up a leadoff single to Mertins in the ninth. Turner was next and bunted in front of the plate. Whittleman fielded the ball charging in from third and threw across his body to try to get Mertins at second, but fired the ball into left field for an error that allowed Mertins to go all the way to third. After a pop-up by Brady Everett, Lucas was sent into pinch run for Turner with O.D. Gonzalez coming up to bat. It was on the second pitch to Gonzalez that Lucas took off to start the chain of events that ended the game.

The Bees and LumberKings wrap up this series tomorrow night at 7:00 at Community Field. LH Matt Campbell (1-1, 2.78) will start for the Bees against LH Zach Phillips (3-1, 2.96) for the LumberKings. Gates will open at 6:00 for a Friday night game sponsored by Budweiser, Hot 97 Dot 3, and Big Country 103.1. The game will be broadcast live on KBUR AM 1490 and KBKB AM 1360 with the pre-game show starting at 6:40.

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