Bees hold off Cougars
Both teams scored four times in the first inning, but the Burlington Bees got enough runs later to defeat the Kane County Cougars 7-6 on Tuesday night at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark in Geneva.
Sherman Johnson and Kyle Johnson drew consecutive walks to start the contest against Cougars starter Jose Rosario (0-3). Michael Bolaski singled home Sherman Johnson for the first run, then Andrew Ray blasted a 3-run homer over the scoreboard in left-center to put the Bees (24-36) ahead by 4 runs.
In the bottom of the first, the Cougars (28-34) answered against Ryan Crowley (6-1). Albert Almora singled with one out and came home on a double by Jeimer Candelario. Two batters later, Willson Contreras crushed a 3-run homer to tie the game at 4-4.
The Bees reclaimed the advantage in the second when Anthony Bemboom doubled and scored on Kyle Johnson’s sacrifice fly. In the third, Ray cracked a solo homer, and Chevy Clarke singled home Chance Ross to give the Bees a 3-run cushion.
Crowley kept the Cougars off the board until the sixth when Reggie Golden doubled to drive home Contreras and later scored on a passed ball.
Both bullpens were solid as Austin Adams and Robert Powell (first save) combined to shut out the Cougars through 32⁄3 innings. Shawn Camp and Brian Smith did the same over 4 innings against the Bees. Camp was making his first rehab appearance after being sidelined with a sprained toe. He allowed 1 hit in 1 inning with a strikeout.
The Cougars and Bees play the second of their three-game series today at 6:30 p.m. Cougars right-hander Tayler Scott (3-2) will start against righty Alex Keudell (4-2).