Suarez' Brilliant Start Wasted

(Burlington, IA) - Jose Suarez struck out nine batters in five shutout innings on Thursday night but the Burlington Bees (40-50) fell 5-1 to the Fort Wayne TinCaps (40-51) at Community Field. 

Bee's starter Jose Suarez started the game by striking out the side in order in the first inning. With one out in the bottom of half of the first, Jordan Zimmerman put the Bees in front, smacking an opposite field home run to right, giving the Bees a 1-0 lead. 
Jose Suarez sturck out nine batters in five shutout innings. The Tin Caps went to work on the Bees' bullpen, batting eight times in the top of the sixth inning. Nate Easley started the inning with a double to right and then came around to score on a two-run double from Jorde Ona, giving Fort Wayne a 2-1 lead. Ona then came home to score on a Brad Zunica single, extending the lead to 3-1.
After the Bees stranded a lead-off double from Richie Fecteau, the Tin Caps added to their lead in the eighth. With one out, Reinaldo Ilarraza reached second base on a single and an error. After a walk, Hudson Potts drove in a pair, pushing the Fort Wayne lead to 5-1. 
Fort Wayne starter Jim McDade (2-1) earned the win while Ty Barkell (1-4) was charged with the loss. The Bees and Tin Caps will wrap up the series on Friday night at 6:30 p.m. as Joe Gatto will make the start for the Bees against Reggie Lawson for the Tin Caps. It's a Budweiser Big Fun Friday, enjoy 16 oz. Bud Light and Busch Light for just $3.50. For tickets, visit gobees.com or stop by the Bees' office. For more information, visit gobees.com. 
NOTES: Jordan Zimmerman homered in the first inning to extend his hitting streak to 18 games. The Bees have scored first in eight of their last nine games. Derek Jenkins singled in the second to push his hitting streak to a season high nine games. Jose Suarez has now struck out 19 batters in his last 9.2 innings of work.