Bees Fend Off LumberKings Late Rally

(Burlington, IA) - The Burlington Bees (60-77) held off the Clinton LumberKings (62-73), 7-5, in the opener of the final series of the 2017 season on Saturday night at Community Field. 

Brandon Sandoval started the bottom of the first inning with a single to left and then moved to second base on a Richie Fecteau single. With two outs, Sam McDonnell started his big night with a single to right field, scoring Sandoval, giving the Bees a 1-0 lead.
After the LumberKings tied the game in the third inning, the Bees took the lead back in the bottom of the fourth inning. With one out, Sam McDonnell singled and moved to second when Stephen Kerr singled. After both runners moved up on an error, Franklin Navarro gave the Bees the lead back with a two-run single to right, giving the Bees a 3-1 lead. 
The Bees added to their lead in the fifth inning. With one out, Artemis Kadkhodaian doubled off the wall in left-center and then came home to score on a Brennan Morgan single. The Bees added to their lead in the bottom of the sixth inning, getting a pair of runs on a Stephen Kerr home run and a Richie Fecteau single, extending the lead to 6-1.
After the Bees added their seventh run of the game on a Stephen Kerr single, the LumberKings sent nine batters to the plate in the eighth inning, scoring four runs, leaving the tying run at first base. Justin Kelly came on in the ninth and retired the LumberKings in order, giving the Bees a 7-5 win. 
Bees' starter Chris Rodriguez (1-2) allowed just one unearned run in five innings, striking out five, earning the win. Ljay Newsome (8-9) was charged with the loss as Justin Kelly (2) earned the save. The Bees and the LumberKings will continue the series on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. as Elvin Rodriguez makes the start for the Bees against Steven Ridings for the LumberKings. For tickets, visit gobees.com or stop by the Bees' office. For more information, call the Bees at (319)-754-5705.