MWL1 Burlington Bees

Haefner an Unlikely Hero Against the Bees

Published on July 7, 2007 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Burlington Bees News Release


Burlington, IA - With slugger John Whittleman on his way to San Francisco to participate in the All-Star Futures Game, the Clinton LumberKings (7-9, 48-35) tabbed Jay Haefner to fill in at third tonight and Haefner responded with his first home run of the season and 3 RBI to lead the offense in a 6-3 win over the Burlington Bees (9-8, 40-46) at Community Field tonight. The LumberKings claim the first of this three-game series and now lead the season series 6-3.

Clinton claimed the early lead in the top of the third inning on a pair of doubles from Marcus Lemon and Craig Gentry. The Bees tied the game in the bottom of the inning when Luis Castillo belted a solo home run to right field. It was Castillo's first home run of the season in his first game in nine days due to a hamstring injury.

Clinton regained the lead in the top of the fourth. With two outs, Mauro Gomez singled and went to second on a passed ball. Haefner then lined a single to center to drive in Gomez and went down to second base when Derrick Robinson's throw from the outfield went all the way to the plate. David Paisano followed with another single to center that drove in Haefner and the LumberKings led 3-1. The Bees got back to within one in the fifth. Jeff Bianchi singled and stole second base. After a walk to Jeff Howell, Castillo lined out to shortstop, but Bianchi was able to go to third when Lemon's flip to second rolled away for an error. Jamar Walton followed with a line drive to second that went off the glove of a leaping Jose Vallejo who swatted the ball out into center field. Vallejo recovered to get the ball to second in time to force out Howell as Bianchi scored.

In the sixth, Bees' starter Ryan DiPietro gave up a leadoff single to Manny Pina and Gomez followed with a line drive that went off the glove of a diving Michael Thompson at third and rolled down the left field line. Thompson hustled to recover the ball and threw to DiPietro covering third in time to get Pina for the first out of the inning. DiPietro was then lifted for Mario Santiago out of the bullpen and Haefner greeted Santiago with a two-run home run to left to extend the Clinton lead to 5-2. It was Haefner's first home run of the season and the first of his pro career. The LumberKings added one more unearned run against Santiago in the seventh on an RBI double by Chad Tracy. Santiago ended up retiring the final eight batters he faced following that hit.

Clinton starter Jeremiah Haar (3-0) worked through six innings and got the win. Josh Lueke pitched two innings and gave up the Bees' final run on a solo homer by Walton in the eighth. It was Walton's first home run as a Bee and his first since August 12, 2005 in the New York-Penn League. Chris Dennis closed out the ninth for the save in his Clinton debut. DiPietro (4-5) got the loss for the Bees.

The Bees and LumberKings continue this series tomorrow afternoon at 2:00 at Community Field. RH Harold Mozingo (7-7, 4.41) will start for the Bees against LH Zach Phillips (8-2, 2.89) for the LumberKings. The gates open at 1:00 for Louisa Communications Kids Day sponsored by Today's Light Favorites 93.5. All kids 12 and under get in free and get to run the bases after the game. The game will be broadcast live on KBUR AM 1490 and KBKB AM 1360 with the pre-game show starting at 1:

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Midwest League Stories from July 7, 2007


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