Bees Take Broom to Rattlers

(Appleton, WI) - The Burlington Bees (40-48) completed a four-game series sweep of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (33-54) with a 6-3 win on Monday afternoon at Neuroscience Group Field. 

The Bees offense got going with two outs in the top of the first inning. Jack Kruger reached on a fielding error and moved to second base on a Jordan Zimmerman double. Brennan Morgan hit a groundball to third but reached when the throw was dropped, scoring both Kruger and Morgan, giving the Bees a 2-0 lead. Sam McDonnell added to the Bees' lead by sending a triple to left-center, scoring Morgan, extending the lead to 3-0.
Jordan Zimmerman and Brennan Morgan opened the third inning with back-to-back singles. Sam McDonnell then hit sacrifice fly to left, scoring Zimmerman, pushing the Bees' lead to 4-0. The Bees added another run in the fourth inning. Derek Jenkins started the inning with a single and then stole second base. After advancing to third on a groundout, Jenkins came home to score on a fielder's choice, extending the Bees' advantage to 5-0. 
After Wisconsin scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning on back-to-back run scoring doubles, the Bees got a run back in the top of the eighth inning. Brennan Morgan started the frame with a walk and then scored when Juan Moreno smacked a two-out double to left, making it a 6-3 Bees' lead. Bees' starter Erik Manoah Jr. (4-5) earned the while Timber Rattlers' starter Nattino Diplan (2-6) was charged with the loss. Blake Smith (8) earned the save. 
The Bees will return home to open a six-game homestand, starting with a three-game series with the Fort Wayne Tin Caps on Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. at Community Field. Andrew Vinson will make the start for the Bees. For tickets, visit gobees.com or stop by the bees' office. For more information, call the Bees at (319)-754-5705. 
NOTES: The Bees have now won nine straight games against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers and are 11-2 against Wisconsin this season. Jordan Zimmerman extended his hitting streak to 16 games while Derek Jenkins pushed his hitting streak to seven games.