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MWL1 Burlington Bees

Cougars Kleen bases to beat Bees

June 11, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Burlington Bees News Release


Burlington, IA (June 11, 2006): Steve Kleens grand slam in the top of the fifth inning broke open a one-run game as the Kane County Cougars (39-24) beat the Burlington Bees (30-31) 8-4 at Community Field this afternoon. The Bees had won five in a row against the Cougars here at Community Field going back to last year. This series is tied at one and the Cougars lead the season series 3-2.

Bees starter David Henninger got off to a much better start today than in his last start where he faced just seven batters in the first and came out after just a third of an inning. Today, he struck out the side in order in the first but the Cougars came back strong with four runs in the second. The rally started when Jeff Baisley's pop-up into shallow right field fell in for a single after some miscommunication by the Bees defense. A wild pitch allowed Baisley to go all the way from first to third before Jose Pineda walked and stole second. Frank Martinez singled into center to drive in both runners put the Cougars up 2-0. Martinez went to second on a passed ball and to third on a single by Wes Long who then stole second base. Raul Padron's groundout to second drove in Martinez and Justin Sellers drove in Long with a sacrifice fly to center to extend the lead to 4-0.

The Bees came back with three in the third against Cougars' starter Ron Madej. Singles by Jeremy Jirschele and Antonio Sabatini and a walk to Jose Duarte loaded the bases. Valentino Arce drove in the first run with a single to center and Brady Everett and Mario Lisson added RBI on groundouts.

In the top of the fifth, Sellers led off with an infield single, stole second, and after a walk to Mike Massaro, Cody Harkcom replaced Henninger on the mound. Nick Blasi laid down a perfect bunt with two strikes that not only moved the runners but got him aboard with a single to set up Kleen's blast on a two-strike pitch. Harkcom finished the inning without any more damage and pitched a scoreless sixth. Eliezer Garcia allowed two hits in a scoreless seventh. Rayner Oliveros allowed a hit and struck out two in the final two innings. Henninger (1-4) gets saddled with his fourth straight losing decision.

Madej (2-1) finished five innings in his first professional start to earn the win. Both of his wins this season have come against the Bees. Jeff Gray pitched two scoreless innings in relief. The Bees added their final run in the eighth against Dan Fyvie. Singles by Duarte and Arce and a walk to Everett loaded the bases with no outs, but Fyvie struck out Lisson and Miguel Vega and the rally was in jeopardy. The Bees got one when Fyvie walked JP Lowen on five pitches to force in Arce. Chris McConnell was next and took a close 2-2 pitch for ball three. After the call, Cougars manger Aaron Nieckula was ejected for the second straight day for comments made from the dugout. After an argument, play continued and McConnell chased a pitch in the dirt for strike three to end the inning. Fyvie barked at the home plate umpire on his way off the field and was also ejected. TJ Franco finished the game with a scoreless ninth.

The Bees and Cougars continue this series tomorrow night at 7:00 at Community Field. All-Star RH Chris Nicoll (3-4, 2.59) will start for the Bees against RH Jason Ray (6-1, 3.17) for the Cougars. Gates open at 6:00 for a Dollar Monday presented by Miller Lite. 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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