Sports stats



MWL1 Burlington Bees

Big First Inning Sinks Bees

June 2, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Burlington Bees News Release


Cedar Rapids, IA - The Cedar Rapids Kernels (26-29) scored four runs in the bottom of the first inning and rode the right arm of Tommy Mendoza for a 4-2 win over the Burlington Bees (26-26) at Veterans Memorial Stadium tonight. With the win, the Kernels take a 1-0 lead in this four-game series.

Bees' starter Chris Nicoll (3-3) hadn't walked a batter in his last two starts, but walked Brad Coon to start the bottom of the first inning. Hainley Statia then doubled over the head of Carlos Arroyo in right to drive in Coon and get the Kernels on the board. After a groundout and a strikeout, Jordan Renz blasted a long home run to left to extend the Kernels lead to 3-0. The homer was Renz' 11th of the year, tying him for the Midwest League lead. Dallas Morris followed him up with a solo shot of his own for the final run. The four-run first was twice as many runs as Nicoll had allowed in any of his first eight starts of the year. Nicoll settled in after the first and worked into the bottom of the eighth inning before a one-out walk to Statia knocked him out of the game. Cody Harkcom came in and got Flint Wipke to ground into an inning-ending double play. Nicoll's 7.1 innings pitched is a new season and career-high and he struck out seven.

The Bees got on the board in the top of the fifth inning. Jose Duarte and JP Lowen opened the inning with singles. Ethien Santana bunted, but Duarte was forced out at third. Josh Johnson picked up Santana by lining a single to right to drive in Lowen. The hit extended Johnson's hitting streak to seven and has driven in a run in six straight games. Johnson added another RBI single in the seventh to get the Bees to within 4-2, driving in Duarte after his third hit of the night started the inning.

Kernels' starter Tommy Mendoza (3-5) took advantage of the early lead and worked a season-high eight innings for his second straight win. Mendoza allowed seven hits and one walk while striking out five. Ryan Aldridge set the Bees down in order in the top of the ninth to earn his eleventh save of the season.

The Bees and Kernels continue this series tomorrow night at 7:00 at Veterans Memorial Stadium. RH Michael Penn (3-1, nn (3-1, 3.45) will start for the Bees against RH Andy Hill (1-0, 0.00) for the Kernels. The game will be broadcast live on KBUR AM 1490 and KBKB AM 1360 with the pre-game show staring at 6:40.

Check out the Burlington Bees Statistics



Midwest League Stories from June 2, 2006


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Burlington Bees Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central