(Peoria, IL) - Bees' starter Jose Suarez struck out eight batters in five innings as the Burlington Bees (49-67) defeated the Peoria Chiefs (56-60), 6-2, on Friday night at Dozer Park.
(Peoria, IL) - Bees' starter Jose Suarez struck out eight batters in five innings as the Burlington Bees (49-67) defeated the Peoria Chiefs (56-60), 6-2, on Friday night at Dozer Park.
Just like the night prior, the Bees took the lead first on Friday night. Brennan Morgan started the top of the fourth inning by blasting a triple off the wall in left-center. After Sam McDonnell was retired on a pop out, Brandon Sandoval doubled to left, scoring Morgan, giving the Bees a 1-0 lead.
Peoria bounced right back to tie the game in the bottom of the fourth inning. Brian O'Keefe started the inning by drawing a lead-off walk. After a strike out, Stefan Trosclair tripled to left, scoring O'Keefe, tying the game at one. Suarez was able to get out of the inning with no further damage, getting Evan Mendoza to line into a double play.
Bees would get the lead back in the next half inning. With one out, Leonardo Rives doubled down the right field line. With two outs and Rivas still at second base, Richie Fecteau singled to center, scoring Rivas, putting the Bees back in front, 2-1. The Bees added to their lead in the top of the seventh inning. Franklin Navarro walked to start the inning and then moved to second on a Juan Moreno single. After Rivas drew a walk to load the bases, Jonah Todd singled to center, extending the Bees' lead to 4-1. Brennan Morgan then grounded into a double play, scoring Rivas, pushing the lead to 5-1.
The Peoria Chiefs would get a run on wild pitch in the bottom of the seventh inning but the Bees would get that run back in the ninth, extending their lead to 6-2 on a wild pitch. The Bees would hang on for a 6-2 win. Jose Suarez (2-1) earned the win for the Bees, allowing one run in five innings, striking out eight. Frederis Parra (3-4) was charged with the loss while Jonah Wesely (1) earned the save.
The Bees and the Chiefs continue the series on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at Dozer Park. Chris Rodriguez will make the start for the Bees against Austin Warner for the Chiefs. Listen to the Bees with the voice of the Burlington Bees, Michael Broskowski on Fox Sports 104.5 and 1360 and online at gobees.com and foxsportsiowa.com as well as on the MiLB First Pitch app.
