Leon Sparks Bees to 5-1 Win

(Peoria, IL) - Julian Leon and Sam McDonnell combined to drive in three of the Burlington Bees' (48-67) four runs in a 4-1 win over the Peoria Chiefs (56-59) on Thursday night at Dozer Park. 

For the first time in seven games, the Bees scored first. Leonardo Rivas was hit by a pitch to open the inning and then stole second base. With one out, Julian Leon reached on an infield single, putting runners at the corners. Richie Fecteau then lined a single into right field, scoring Rivas, giving the Bees a 1-0 lead. 
With two outs and the bases empty in the top of the seventh inning, Julian Leon blasted a solo home run to right-center, his fourth of the season, extending the Bees' lead to 2-0.
Peoria cut the Bees' lead in half in the seventh. Ryan McCarvel started the inning with a single. After Tyler Stevens retired the next two batters in order, J.R. Davis doubled to right-center, scoring McCarvel, cutting the Bees' lead to 2-1.
The Bees would get that run back and more in the top of the eighth inning. Brennan Morgan led off the inning with a single to center but was then thrown out at second on a fielder's choice, allowing Artemis Kadkhodaian to reach. Sam McDonnell, celebrating his 22nd birthday, hammered a two-run homer to right, extending the Bees' lead to 4-1.
The Bees and the Chiefs will continue the series on Friday at 7:00 p.m. at Dozer Park. 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.