Bees blast Lugnuts, 12-4

BURLINGTON, IA - Michael Hermosillo and Alexi Rivera homered, and the Burlington Bees (11-12, 43-50) opened a three-game series with a 12-4 defeat of the Lansing Lugnuts (15-8, 51-42) on Saturday night at Community Field.

Justin Atkinson capped a three-run Lugnuts first inning with a two-run homer, his fourth home run of the year, but - ignited by Hermosillo's leadoff roundtripper - the Bees scored four runs on seven hits in the first two innings against Tayler Saucedo to vault into the lead.

A Juan Kelly RBI fielder's choice in the fifth tied the score at 4-4 before the deluge began: two runs in the sixth, four runs in the seventh and two runs in the eighth broke the game open in the home team's favor. Reliever Tom Robson (Loss, 0-2) allowed five runs (four earned) in 2 1/3 innings, before Rivera climaxed the evening with a home run against Daniel Young.

Burlington reliever Aaron Cox (Win, 2-1) tossed 2 2/3 shutout innings in relief of All-Star Jose Rodriguez, combining with Zach Hartman to strike out nine batters in 4 2/3 innings out of the bullpen.

In defeat, Connor Panas went 3-for-5 with two doubles and a run batted in, J.C. Cardenas was 2-for-4, Ryan Metzler reached base three times on a single and two walks, and Kelly delivered a single, an RBI and a run scored on his 22nd birthday.

The second game of the three game series will be held at 3:00 p.m. Eastern on Sunday. Lansing's starter is yet to be announced.

The Lugnuts return to Michigan's state capital on Wednesday, July 20th, opening up a six-game homestand against the Clinton LumberKings and the Kane County Cougars. For more information or to purchase your tickets, call 517-485-4500 or visit lansinglugnuts.com.

 

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