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MWL1 Burlington Bees

Mertins Mashes in Bees Win over Wisconsin

May 30, 2007 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Burlington Bees News Release


Burlington, IA (May 30, 2007) - Kurt Mertins belted a two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to complete a perfect day at the plate and give the Burlington Bees (22-29) their final runs in a 10-9 win over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (16-35) at Community Field this afternoon. The Bees lead this series 2-0 and have won three straight games for the first time since the team's season-best five-game winning streak ended on April 17th.

After a solo home run by Kuo Hui Lo in the top of the first gave the Timber Rattlers an early lead, the Bees stormed back with a huge second inning to knock out Wisconsin starter Steven Richard. The first eight batters reached to start the inning thanks to four hits and four walks. Mertins walked to start the inning followed by a Jeff Howell single and a walk to Jase Turner. Richard then walked Alvi Morel to force in the first run. Derrick Robinson, Chris McConnell, and Jeff Bianchi followed with consecutive bloop hits to drive in a run apiece and the Bees led 4-1. Another walk to Brady Everett forced in a fifth run and chased Richard from the game. Drew Fiorenza took over and Joe Dickerson hit a soft bouncing ball to second base. The Rattlers got a force out at second, but couldn't turn two, giving Dickerson an RBI as McConnell scored to cap the six-run inning.

Wisconsin stormed back in the top of the third against Bees' starter Josh Cribb. Andy Hargrove grounded a two-run double just inside the bag at third and then scored when two batters later, Alex Liddi belted a two-run homer to left to get the Timber Rattlers to within one at 6-5. Cribb got out of the inning and worked through 4.1 innings total without giving up the lead.

Fiorenza pitched three scoreless innings and turned the ball over to Rollie Gibson in the fifth. Mertins greeted Gibson with a triple to right-center field and then Jeff Howell hit a laser over the wall in deep left-center for a two-run homer that extended the Bees lead to 8-5. It was Howell's second home run of the year and he finished with three hits in the game.

Henry Barrera took over for Cribb in the fifth inning and pitched a scoreless sixth before running into trouble in the seventh. With a man on first and one out, Carlos Peguero hit a prodigious blast over the batters' eye in straight-away center for his fourth home run of the year and pulled the Timber Rattlers to within one at 8-7. Two batters later, Gerardo Avila got a fly ball up in the wind to left that sailed over the wall for a game-tying homer. It was Avila's first home run of the season and it gave Wisconsin a season-high four home runs in the game. Aaron Hartsock came on in relief for the Bees and finished off the seventh and then retired the side in order in the eighth.

The Rattlers brought in closer Andrew Barb for the bottom of the eighth inning. Everett led off with a single, but was forced out at second as Dickerson bunted back the mound trying to lay down a sacrifice. Mertins would make up for the mistake by smacking his home run next to put the Bees back on top. Mertins finished 3-3 with two walks and scored three runs in the game and came just a double shy of hitting for the cycle. Hartsock (2-1) gave up back-to-back doubles to Lo and Peguero to start the top of the ninth, but struck out Kalian Sams, got Avila to bounce out, and caught Liddi looking at strike three to end the game and earn his second win. Barb (1-1) was charged with the loss.

The Bees and Timber Rattlers continue this series from Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium tomorrow night at 7:05. LH Ryan DiPietro (1-2, 4.42) will start for the Bees against RH Rob Harmon (1-2, 5.25) for Wisconsin. The game will be broadcast live on KBUR AM 1490 and KBKB AM 1360 with the pre-game show starting at 6:45.

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