MWL1 Burlington Bees

Bees Win Series at Cedar Rapids

Published on June 6, 2006 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Burlington Bees News Release


Cedar Rapids, IA (June 5, 2006) "" The Burlington Bees (29-26) and Cedar Rapids Kernels (26-32) battled with four lead changes and three ties before the Bees won 6-5 at Veterans Memorial Stadium tonight. After dropping the opener, the Bees won the last three games to win the series against the Kernels. The Peoria Chiefs also lost their third straight tonight, so the Bees are within one game of the Chiefs for second place in the Midwest League's Western Division first half playoff race with just twelve games left. The Bees also move to a season-high three games over .500 for the year.

The Kernels jumped out in front in the bottom of the first inning. With two on and two outs, Flint Wipke one-hopped the wall in center for a double to drive in two runs, but was thrown out trying to stretch the hit into a triple. CF Jose Duarte started the relay for his Midwest League-leading 10th outfield assist. The Bees came back with a run in the top of the second on a two-out single by Jeff Howell and then scored two in the third to take a 3-2 lead. Josh Johnson led off with his second single of the game and scored on a triple to the right field corner by Jeremy Jirschele. Mario Lisson drove in Jirschele with a sacrifice fly to right and the Bees led 3-2.

The Kernels tied it back up in the bottom of the fourth inning. Brett Martinez led off with a single and scored on a double by Marco Albano. Brad Coon reached on an infield single up the first base line that Bees starter Carlos Rosa knocked into foul territory with his glove trying to field. Albano tried to score all the way from second, but Rosa threw to the plate in time for the second out and then got out of the inning. In the bottom of the fifth, the Kernels went up 4-3 on a solo homer by Jordan Renz. Renz hit three homers in the series and leads the league with 13. Two more reached to knock Rosa out of the game, but Yovany Damico struck out Albano to end the inning.

Kernels starter Stephen Marek left after four innings and Tim Mattison worked a scoreless fifth. The Bees came back against Mattison in the sixth. With one out, Ethien Santana reached on a bunt single and Johnson blasted a 2-2 pitch over the wall in right for his first homer of the season and put the Bees on top 5-4. The Kernels tied the game in the bottom of the sixth when Coon drew a leadoff walk, stole second and third, and scored when Miguel Vega stumbled and fell catching a foul pop-up on the warning track off the bat of Renz. The Bees took the lead for good in the top of the seventh against Robert Romero. Vega was hit by a pitch and moved to second on a walk to Brady Everett. Valentino Arce then pinch-ran for Vega and Carlos Arroyo bunted to first. Mark Trumbo fielded and threw to third, but Arce beat the play and the bases were loaded with no outs. Duarte then bounced to shortstop and Hainley Statia started a 6-3 double play as Arce scored.

Chris Hayes came on in the seventh and retired the final nine in a row, striking out two, to preserve the lead and earn his fourth save. Damico (1-4) snapped a six-game losing streak going back to last year August with the win. Romero (0-1) got the loss.

The Bees open an eight-game home stand tomorrow night at 7:00 with the first of four against the Chiefs. RH David Heninger (1-2, 4.73) will start for the Bees against RH Scott Taylor (1-2, 2.95) for the Chiefs. The gates open at 6:00 for a Hawk Eye 2-for-Tuesday. Fans can get two general admission tickets for the price of one with the coupon from Tuesday's paper. 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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Midwest League Stories from June 6, 2006


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