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MWL1 Burlington Bees

Ryan Noda's Big Game at the Plate Gives Lugnuts Series Opening Victory

July 13, 2018 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Burlington Bees News Release


Burlington, IA. - The Burlington Bees (4-15,34-54) were finally back at Community Field but didn't start their six game home stand on a good note, losing to the Lansing Lugnuts (12-8,55-35) 6-2. Matt Gunter (2-3) earned his second victory after a dominating six innings of work, where he allowed just one run on three hits, three walks, and threw one strikeout. Max Herrmann (1-4) had a few good moments in his four innings of work, but still took the loss after giving up four runs, three earned on eight hits, throwing two walks, and two strikeouts.

Lugnuts get started with runs in the second and third

Ryan Noda got Lansing in a scoring opportunity right away, after leading the second inning off with his 17th double of the season. After Norberto Obeso got hit by a pitch, Ryan Gold sent a grounder right between Torres and Fitzsimons for a single, giving the Lugnuts a 1-0 lead.

Ryan Young got things going in the third inning with his 24th double of the season and then Noda sent a fly ball deep to center field that was just out reach of Torii Hunter. Hunter would have easily made the catch it he was about five feet back at the start of the run, but it ended up being a triple for Noda and he gave Lansing a 2-0 lead.

Defensive mistakes give Lansing another run

Herrmann got the first two hitters out just fine in the fourth, but a two out single from Reggie Pruitt gave the Lugnuts life. Burlington looked like they had gotten Pruitt in a pickle after Herrmann threw over to first and Pruitt took off, but Fitzsimons made the throw over to second was not in time and Pruitt was safe with his 17th stolen base. Pruitt then took off for third, but the throw from catcher Alexis Olmeda went into left field, allowing Pruitt to score and make it 3-0.

Noda adds another in the fifth

After Young led off the top half of the fifth with a walk, Noda hit another double for his third extra base hit of the game, scoring Young from first and making it 4-0 Lugnuts.

Bees finally on the board in the sixth

Burlington finally got something going in the sixth inning, starting with a one out walk from Franklin Torres. Kevin Williams Jr then sent a single to right for his third hit of the game, sending Torres to third and Williams Jr was able to advance to second on the throw over to third. Spencer Griffin then hit a soft grounder to third, which was just enough to make Jesus Navarro throw over to first rather than home. Griffin was out at first, but Torres did manage to score to cut the Lugnuts lead to 4-1.

Lugnuts take control with two runs in the seventh

The Bees weren't able to celebrate their run for very long, as Lansing was right back into things in the seventh. Young got his seventh triple of the season and Noda scored him on a sacrifice fly to center, giving Noda his third RBI and the Lugnuts their fifth run. Lansing wasn't finished yet as, Brandon Grudzielanek drew a walk in the next at bat, and Obeso sent him to third on a single to center. Gold drove in his second run of the evening on another single to center, giving Lansing a comfortable 6-1 lead.

Burlington only managed one more run during the game, after Olmeda hit a one out single in the seventh and advanced to third on two wild pitches, which set up a sacrifice fly opportunity for Alvaro Rubalcaba.

Low strikeout night, but low hit night too

The Bees looked a lot better at the plate tonight, striking out just three times as a team, but they still only managed just two runs on just four hits. One issue was the fact Burlington had difficulty getting runners in scoring position. The Bees were 0-3 tonight with runners in scoring position, and although the times they did have them in scoring position, they at least runs out of them on the groundout and sac fly. Another factor was the Bees may have been a bit too aggressive at the plate. The Lugnuts had to throw just 107 pitches to get through 30 at bats. Had the Bees been a little more patient at the plate, they may have had opportunities for more walks, or better pitches to hit.

The biggest factor was the Lugnuts defense. It seemed like every time Burlington put the ball in play, the Lugnuts defense was either in the right place at the right time, or just making spectacular plays all around the diamond.

Lugnuts get offense from all over

It was hard to try to pitch around players in the Lugnuts lineup tonight, because five of them finished with at least two hits. Noda led the offense, going 3-4 with two doubles and a triple, and he finished with three RBI's. Kevin Vicuna finished 2-5 with a double and Chavez young was 2-4 with a triple, a walk, and crossed the plate three times. In the bottom of the lineup, Ryan gold finished 2-5 with two RBI's and Reggie Pruitt finished 2-4.

Williams Jr leads Bees offense

Burlington got three of their four hits from one man, and that was Kevin Williams Jr, who finished the game 3-4. July has had a rough start to Williams Jr, as he had just four hits coming into tonight's game. Hopefully this big night at the plate can get him back to where he was hitting when he was on his hitting streak.

Looking Ahead

The Bees will look to tonight's loss when they take on Lansing again tomorrow night at 6:30. Oliver Ortega is expected to make the start for the Bees. Ortega is 3-5 with a 3.96 ERA in eight starts for Burlington but has struggled with his control in his last couple starts. Ortega has thrown eleven innings combined in his last three starts but has thrown 13 walks. If Ortega can limit the walks in tomorrow's start, his pitch count will stay low and he will be able to go further into the game and show off the impressive arm that has earned him 38 strikeouts. Lansing is expected to throw Jordan Barrett, who would be making his debut for the Lugnuts if he does start. Barrett started four games and won two for the Vancouver Canadians, while posting a 3.48 ERA.

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