Bees Snap 7-Game Losing Streak
The Devil Rays got on the board first in the top of the first inning on a solo home run by Reid Brignac down the right field line. The Bees came right back in the bottom of the first inning against Rays' starter Jino Gonzalez. Irving Falu led off with a chopper to first that was mishandled by Chris Nowak for an error. After a flyout, Falu stole second and third. After a walk to Ed Lucas, Rusty Brown laced a single to left to drive in Falu and even the score. After another flyout, Gonzalez hit Kenard Springer to load the bases and then hit Eddie Solis to force in Lucas and put the Bees ahead 2-1.
Bees' starter Luis Cota settled in on the mound and struck out two batters in each of the second, third, and fourth innings. In the top of the fifth, Shaun Cumberland led off with a single, stole second, and scored on a two-out single by Nowak to tie the game at two. The Bees responded again in the bottom of the seventh inning. With one out, Falu doubled down the left field line, moved to third on a groundout, and scored on a single by Lucas for a 3-2 Bees' lead.
Cota struck out two more batters in the sixth to give him nine for the game. Gabe DeHoyos struck out three and allowed just one hit in two scoreless innings in relief to setup closer Chad Blackwell for the ninth. Blackwell made a nice defensive play to throw out Travis Schlichting trying to bunt for a hit to leadoff the inning. Craig Markel singled and was replaced at first by pinch-runner Fernando Frias, but Frias would get doubled off on a lineout to short by Brandon Rousseve to end the game. Cota (4-6) earned his first win since July 10th at Beloit and his first win in a game that Bees didn't win by shutout. Blackwell earned his 12th save. Gonzalez (4-6), just activated from the disabled list today, suffered the loss for the Devil Rays.
The Bees and Devil Rays continue this series tomorrow night at 7:00 on a Wendy's Family Night and "Sunny" Night at Community Field. Mom, Dad, and all the kids in your house get in for $14, Louisa Communications will give away a bicycle, and the radio station Sunny 97.7 in Monmouth will be giving away a trip for two to Las Vegas as part of Western Illinois Community Weekend. Fans in attendance will have a chance to register to win. The game will be broadcast live on KBUR AM 1490 and KBKB AM 1360 with the pre-game show starting at 6:40.