Bees Finish Shutout of Kernels

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Bees Finish Shutout of Kernels
06/22/2007 9:54 PM ET
By Randy Wehofer / Burlington Bees

Burlington, IA (June 22, 2007) - Technically, the Burlington Bees (1-0, 31-39) and Cedar Rapids Kernels (0-1, 38-32) still haven't finished a full game in two days. Last night, rain suspended the opening game of this series in the bottom of the fourth inning with the Bees leading 4-0. Tonight, another thunderstorm cut play short with the Kernels batting in the top of the ninth inning, but this time the game was official with the Bees earning a 6-0 win. Tonight's regularly scheduled game has been postponed due to heavy rain and severe weather. The Bees and Kernels will attempt a double-header tomorrow night starting at 5:00.
Play resumed tonight with Kurt Mertins at first base and one out in the bottom of the fourth inning. LH Doug Brandt took over on the mound for the Kernels and got off to a good start as Mertins was caught stealing and Jeff Bianchi struck out to end the inning. Brandt worked a scoreless fifth and got two outs in the sixth before Derrick Robinson chopped a double just inside the bag at third and down the left field line and Mertins followed it up with a two-run homer to left to extend the Bees' lead to 6-0. It was Mertins' fourth home run of the season and the Bees' second of the game. Brandt would issue three walks and one hit in the seventh without allowing a run and Blake Holler worked a scoreless eighth to finish the game for the Kernels. Sean O'Sullivan (4-5) started the game last night for the Kernels and got the loss. He allowed four runs (two earned) in 3.1 innings before the suspension. Joe Dickerson had an RBI single and drove in a second with a sacrifice fly. Jase Turner also connected on a solo home run, his sixth of the year.
Chris Hayes (2-3) took over on the mound for the Bees tonight and allowed three hits over three innings while striking out three to pick up the win. Jim Wladyka pitched an inning and a third of scoreless baseball and was on the mound with a man on first and one out in the ninth when the rain ended the game. Mario Santiago started the game for the Bees yesterday and didn't allow a hit through four innings. He allowed just one baserunner, hitting Jon Hodach with a pitch in the second inning. This was the Bees' ninth shutout of the season which leads the Midwest League.
The Bees and Kernels will attempt a double-header for the fifth time this season tomorrow night with the first game starting at 5:00. The gates will open at 4:00 for a Long John Silver's / A&W Friends and Family Night. Tomorrow is the annual Hawaiian Luau, the first 500 fans will receive a free set to the 2007 Bees baseball card set, and day two of Mt. Pleasant Community Weekend with discounted admission for residents of Mt. Pleasant, Middletown, Danville, New London, Salem, and any other communities in 34 West corridor of the region. RH Harold Mozingo (6-5, 4.04) is slated to pitch game one for the Bees with RH Tyler Chambliss (3-0, 2.41) slated for game two. The Kernels are scheduled to counter with RH Jeremy Haynes (2-3, 3.86) in game one and RH David Herndon (7-4, 3.63) in game two. Both games will be broadcast live on KBUR AM 1490 and KBKB AM 1360 with the pre-game show starting at 4:40.
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.