Ayendy Perez had three hits for the Burlington Bees on Monday.

The Burlington Bees rallied for three runs in the top of the 8th inning to beat the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 4-2 at Fox Cities Stadium on Monday.

The three runs were scored off LHP Kodi Medeiros, the top draft pick of the Milwaukee Brewers last year. He pitched the last two innings of the game for the Timber Rattlers, and was charged with a blown save and the loss.

Wisconsin Timber Rattlers LHP Kodi Medeiros

Before the Bees rally, Timber Rattlers starting pitcher Angel Ventura was in line for the win. He gave up only one run on seven hits in six innings. He struck out eight, walked none, and threw two wild pitches.

Wisconsin Timber Rattlers RHP Angel Ventura

Bees starting pitcher Jake Jewell gave up two runs on six hits and two walks in five innings. He struck out four batters.

Rightfielder Elvis Rubio drove in both runs for the Timber Rattlers on a double in the bottom of the 4th inning. He had two hits in the game.

Centerfielder Ayendy Perez and catcher Taylor Ward each had three hits for the Bees. During the 8th-inning rally, Ward drove in the tying run before first baseman Steven Mateo hit a two-run triple to give Burlington a 4-2 lead.

Burlington Bees 1B Steven Mateo

The first 1,000 fans at Monday’s game received a Jimmy Nelson bobblehead. The Brewers pitcher spent the 2011 season with the Timber Rattlers, going 8-9 with a 4.38 ERA, 120 strikeouts and 65 walks in 146 innings (25 starts and one relief appearance).

Here’s a look at my bobblehead, which will soon join the collection that adorns my home office:

It’s a good-looking bobblehead, though I wish it was decorated with the retro Brewers-inspired uniform Nelson wore when I saw him pitch for the Timber Rattlers in 2011.

Then-Wisconsin Timber Rattlers SP Jimmy Nelson warms up before a game in 2011.

I will be back at Fox Cities Stadium on Tuesday afternoon for the second game of the series. The scheduled pitching matchup is Timber Rattlers RHP Eric Hanhold (0-3, 8.06 ERA in 22.1 IP) vs. Bees RHP Michael Bolaski (9-9, 3.82 ERA in 125 IP). Bolaski is a former infielder who started pitching near the end of the 2013 season. He played for the Bees as corner infielder that year, batting .203 with 6 HR and 44 RBI in 77 games.

*All photos by Craig Wieczorkiewicz/The Midwest League Traveler