Bees Score Early in Shutout Win

(Burlington, IA) - The Burlington Bees (58-73) used a pair of three-run innings and a stellar pitching performance to shutout the Beloit Snappers (60-70) on Saturday night at Community Field. 

For the seventh time in the last nine games, the Bees opened the scoring on Saturday night. With two outs and the bases empty in the first inning, Brandon Sandoval and Richie Fecteau drew walks, putting runners on first and second. Brennan Morgan then gave the Bees the lead by blasting a double off the wall in right-center, scoring both Sandoval and Fecteau, giving the Bees a 2-0 lead. Sam McDonnell then capped off the inning with a single, scoring Morgan, extending the lead to 3-0. 
The Bees' bats weren't done, scoring three more times in the third inning. Jonah Todd opened the inning with a double and then moved to third on a Brandon Sandoval single. After Sandoval moved to second on a wild pitch, Richie Fecteau drove in Todd with a sacrifice fly to center, pushing the Bees' lead to 4-0. Brennan Morgan then smacked his second double of the game, scoring Sandoval. With two outs in the inning, Franklin Navarro doubled in Morgan, upping the lead to 6-0. 
After Bees' starter Jose Suarez tossed five shutout innings, the Bees' bullpen picked up where he left off as Adrian Almeida and Justin Kelly combined to keep the Snappers off the scoreboard in the final four innings. Jose Suarez (4-1) earned the win for the Bees while Xavier Altamirano (7-6) was charged with the loss. 
The Bees and Snappers will continue the series on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. as Chris Rodriguez makes the start for the Bees against Matt Milburn for Beloit. Sundays are Huffman Farm & Home Sundays which means kids ages 12 and under will get to run the bases after the game. For tickets, visit gobees.com or stop by the Bees' office. For more information, call the Bees at (319)-754-5705.