Bees fend off River Bandits in game three

(Burlington-IA)- Michael Bolaski threw five shutout innings as the Bees scored three runs in the third inning, beating the Quad Cities River Bandits, 3-1 on Sunday afternoon at Community Field. 

Quad Cities' bats got started quickly on Sunday as Jason Martin knocked a single to center in the top of the first inning but was thrown out trying to steal second. The next hitter, Jamie Ritchie also singled to center but suffered the same fate as Martin, getting thrown out, by Brandon Gildea, trying to steal second.

In a scoreless game in the second inning, Natanael Delgado and Caleb Adams led off the inning with back-to-back singles, but were stranded, keeping the game scoreless.

With one out in the third inning, Jake Yacinich singled to left and moved to second on an Erick Salcedo single. Andrew Daniel then hit his team leading 14th double of the season, scoring both Yacinich and Salcedo, putting the Bees on top, 2-0. After Natanael Delgado struck out swinging, Caleb Adams singled, scoring Daniel, upping the Bees' lead to 3-0. 

The game remained 3-0 until the eighth inning when Ramon Laureano hit a solo home run off Bees' reliever Garrett Nuss, cutting the Bees' lead to 3-1. Nuss was able to retire the River Bandits in order in the ninth, picking up his first save of the season, securing the Bees' 3-1 win.

Bees' starter Michael Bolaski (3-4) earned the win, throwing five innings without allowing a run and rendering four hits. Quad Cities' starter, Brandon McNitt (0-2) was charged with the loss. The Bees and the River Bandits finish their series on Monday night at 6:30. Keynan Middleton starts for the Bees against Akeem Bostick for Quad Cities. For tickets, visit gobees.com or stop by the Bees' office and for more information, call (319)-754-5705.