By RJ Larson

The comeback came up short against the Clinton LumberKings, as the Bees fell behind early, came back and lost 10-9.

Jackson Jones began the night with a bomb in the bottom of the first for his ninth home run of the season, a solo shot, putting the Bees ahead 1-0. Clinton would respond with their first big inning of the game in the third.  Rayth Peterson got hit by a pitch.  A single from Anthony Mangano followed.  A double from Kyle Lehman scored both runners and Clinton lead 2-1. Another double off the bat of Jay Beshears made it 3-1.

Burlington got within a run in the fourth on a sac fly from Zane Zielinski for his 10th RBI of the season, but Clinton would strike big the next time they came on offense.

The LumberKings loaded the bases to set up Beshears with one out.  First baseman Beshears hit a grounder to Mason Land, the Bees got the out at second, but the throw to first from Nippolt went by Simpson to score two for Clinton and allow them to take a 5-2 lead. Clinton wasn’t done though, as they would get an RBI single from Daunte DeCello, a two run triple from Justin Conant, and another single from Brett McCleary to take a commanding 9-2 lead after a six run inning.

Burlington responded in the bottom of the fifth to crawl back within four. Mason Land hit into a fielder’s choice to score Rome Wallace and Jones hit his second home run of the game.  9-5 Clinton.

The visitors looked like they were in control, but a big seventh inning helped Burlington tie the game. Burlington got four straight hits, driving in two on a double from Lincoln Riley and got back within one on a single from Mason Land. Land eventually came around and scored on a wild pitch to tie the game at 9-9.

Brett McCleary hit a solo shot of Bees reliever Garrett Langrell to take a 10-9 lead. The first two Burlington hitters in the 8th reached on walks, but Graysen Drezek retired the next three hitters to get out of the jam.  Drezek kept that going in the 9th with a 1-2-3 inning to give Clinton the win.

Jackson Jones had the big day at the plate going 3-5 with two home runs, three RBIs, three runs scored, and a strikeout. Jones two home run day is the second time a Bees player has gotten a multi home run game this season. Bees are back at home again tomorrow for a 2 p.m. first pitch against the O’Fallon Hoots.