MWL1 Burlington Bees

Pean, Bees Take Opener from Whitecaps

July 23, 2016 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Burlington Bees News Release


Grand Rapids-MI - Luis Pena did not allow a hit in five innings as the Burlington Bees (48-51) beat the West Michigan Whitecaps (51-42), 8-5, on Saturday night at Fifth Third Ballpark.

The Bees brought their hot bats with them to Grand Rapids, getting things started in the first inning. After a strikeout to start the game, Matt Thaiss grounded a single into left field. Brennon Lund then extended his hitting streak to eight games, smacking a double to left, scoring Thaiss, giving the Bees a 1-0 lead. After Lund was out on the bases, Jordan Zimmerman singled to keep the inning going. Alexi Rivera then sent a double to right, scoring Zimmerman, upping the Bees' lead to 2-0.

Leading 2-0 in the second, the Bees picked up from where they left off. Jared Walsh started the inning with a single to right and later moved to second on a one-out single from Jordan Serena. Troy Montgomery added to the Bees' advantage, doubling to right, scoring Walsh, making the score 3-0. Matt Thaiss capped of the inning with a single, scoring Serena, extending the lead to 4-0.

With one out in the top of the third inning, Alexi Rivera collected his second double of the game. After an error put runners at the corners, Jared Walsh hit a fly out to right field, deep enough to score Rivera, upping the lead to 5-0.

Luis Pena worked five no-hit innings for the Bees, walking just two and striking out seven. The Whitecaps got to the Bees' bullpen in the sixth inning. David Gonzalez started the frame with a double and then scored on a Will Maddox single, making the score 5-1. After a pair of two out walks loaded the bases, Leo Laffita singled in two runs and the Bees' lead was cut to 5-3.

Tanner Lubach led off the top of the eighth with a walk and then moved to second on a Jordan Serena single. Both runners then advanced on a Troy Montgomery sacrifice bunt. Matt Thaiss drove in Lubach with a sacrifice fly to center, pushing the lead to 6-3. The Bees added insurance in the ninth. Jordan Zimmerman and Alexi Rivera picked up back-to-back singles. After a wild pitch moved to runners up ninty feet, Jared Walsh singled back up the middle, scoring both Zimmerman and Rivera, extending the advantage to 8-3.

West Michigan went on to add two runs in the ninth but the Bees hung on for the 8-5 win. Luis Pena (3-5) earned his first win May 27th while West Michigan starter Fernando Perez (3-5) was charged with the loss. The Bees and the Whitecaps meet for game two of the series on Sunday at noon. Jaime Barria makes the start for the Bees against Kyle Dowdy for the Whitecaps.

Michael Broskowski Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations Burlington Baseball Association 2712 Mt. Pleasant Burlington, IA 52601 michael@gobees.com (319)754-5705 (319)754-5882 (Fax) Class A Affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim www.facebook.com/BurlingtonBees

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