Spartan Zimmerman helps Bees sweep Nuts
BURLINGTON, IA - Michigan State University product Jordan Zimmerman beat out an RBI fielder's choice in the sixth inning, and the Burlington Bees (13-12, 45-50) finished a three-game sweep of the Lansing Lugnuts (15-10, 51-44) with a brisk 2-1 victory on Monday night at Community Field.
The game took just two hours and six minutes to complete, closing a 1-5 Lugnuts road trip to the Western Division's Bees and Peoria Chiefs.
Zimmerman, drafted in the seventh round in June after playing one year at Michigan State, came to the plate in the bottom of the sixth against Jon Harris (Loss, 8-2) with the game tied at 1-1, Michael Hermosillo at third and Brennon Lund at first. Shortstop J.C. Cardenas fielded a high hopper and fed Ryan Metzler at second base for a force on Lund, but Zimmerman barely nosed out Metzler's throw to first, avoiding the inning-ending double play as Hermosillo scored.
Bees right-handers Tyler Watson (Win, 3-3), Mike Kaelin and Sam Holland (Save, 4) kept the Lugnuts off the scoreboard for a combined four innings in relief of starter Jaime Barria, wrapping up the victory.
Justin Atkinson went 2-for-3 with a walk and a fourth-inning RBI single for the Lugnuts in the loss, and Conner Panas drew two walks to reach base in his 14th straight game.
Starting pitcher Harris finished with 5 2/3 innings, allowing four hits and two runs (one earned), with no walks and three strikeouts.
Kirby Snead followed with 1 1/3 perfect innings, and Andrew Case struck out two batters in a perfect eighth.
Tuesday is a day off for the Lugnuts before they open a six-game homestand against the Clinton LumberKings on a Winning Wednesday, starting at 7:05 p.m.: if the Lugnuts defeat the Kings, each ticket is good for a future admission to a 2016 Lugnuts game! Left-hander Angel Perdomo (3-3, 2.51) starts for the Lugs, opposed by Clinton right-hander Nick Neidert (6-2, 2.60).
For more information or to purchase your tickets, call 517-485-4500 or visit lansinglugnuts.com.
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