Strikeouts, Errors Haunt Bees in 9-7 Loss

(Bowling Green, KY) - The Burlington Bees (43-54) struck out 16 times in a 9-7 loss to the Bowling Green Hot Rods (48-47) on Friday night at Bowling Green Ballpark. 

After Bees' starter, Erik Manoah Jr. retired the side in order in the first inning, the Bowling Green Hot Rods sent eight batters to the plate in the second inning. Jesus Sanchez opened the inning with a walk and then moved to second on a one-out walk issued to Bobby Melley. Bowling Green took the lead on a two-run double from Adrian Rondon, making the score 2-0. The inning was capped off on a RBI single from Danny De La Calle, extending the lead to 3-0.
Stephen Kerr started the third inning with a double and then came home to score when Jonah Todd sent a single up the middle, cutting the deficit to 3-1.
After the Hot Rods scored a run in the bottom of the third inning, the Bees would make it a one-run game in the top of the fourth inning. John Schuknecht got things started with a one-out single and then moved to second when Zane Gurwitz was hit by a pitch. After a passed ball moved both runners up ninty feet, Stephen Kerr singled back up the middle, scoring both Schuknecht and Gurwitz, cutting the deficit to 4-3.
Bowling Green would take their three-run lead back in the bottom of the fourth inning. With two outs and the bases empty, Lucius Fox reached on a throwing error and then Josh Lowe and Garrett Whitley walked back-to-back, loading the bases. Jesus Sanchez grounded a single to center, scoring two runs, pushing the lead to 6-3.
John Schuknecht led off the top of the sixth inning with a walk and then moved to second on a Zane Gurwitz single. After Stephen Kerr reached on an infield single to load the bases, Juan Moreno walked, driving in Schuknecht, making it a 6-4 game. The Bees failed to get any more in the inning as Derek Jenkins grounded into a double play. 
The Hot Rods went on add three more in the eighth before the Bees attempted rally in the ninth. With one out, Jonah Todd singled and Artemis Kadkhodaian walked. Richie Fecteau cut the deficit to 9-7 with a three-run homer to to right field. The Bees could not come any closer, going on to loss their second straight, 9-7. Hot Rods' reliever, Jayson McKinley (3-0) earned the win while Bees' starter, Eric Manoah (5-6) was charged with the loss. Spencer Moran (1) picked up the save. 
The Bees will head north to start a three-game series against the Dayton Dragons on Saturday at 6:07 p.m. CDT. Andrew Vinson will make the start for the Bees against the Wennington Romero for the Dragons at Fifth Third Field in Dayton, Ohio. 
NOTES: Stephen Kerr picked up his first three-hit game of the season. John Schuknecht scored two of the Bees four runs. The Bees set a new season high by striking out 16 times in the loss.