New signage reflects the recent name change for Clinton’s home stadium. (Photo by Craig Wieczorkiewicz/The Midwest League Traveler)

The Burlington Bees beat the Clinton LumberKings 4-3 on Friday, which was Denny McLain bobblehead night at NelsonCorp Field.

A three-run homer by Harrison Wenson in the 2nd and an RBI double by Jordyn Adams in the 3rd gave the Bees an early lead they never relinquished, despite the LumberKings’ 6th-inning rally that pulled the home team within a run.

Burlington Bees catcher Harrison Wenson rounds the bases after hitting a three-run homer in the 2nd inning. (Photo by Craig Wieczorkiewicz/The Midwest League Traveler)

J.D. Osborne (sacrifice fly), Evan Edwards (single) and Davis Bradshaw (single) drove in Clinton’s three runs. The LumberKings played without their hottest hitter, Peyton Burdick, who was struck by a pitch during Thursday’s game.

McLain — best remembered as the last pitcher to win 30 games in a season — was at the ballpark to throw out a ceremonial first pitch and sign autographs. He pitched in the Midwest League in 1962, going 4-7 with a 3.56 ERA, 93 strikeouts and 37 walks in 91 innings (16 games/13 starts) for the Clinton C-Sox. He made his major-league debut for the Detroit Tigers one year later, and in 1968, he won the American League Cy Young and Most Valuable Player awards after going 31-6 with a 1.96 ERA, 28 complete games, 280 strikeouts and 63 walks in 336 innings/41 starts. He won the A.L. Cy Young Award again in 1969 after going 24-9 with a 2.80 ERA, 23 complete games, 181 strikeouts and 67 walks in 325 innings (42 games/41 starts).

Denny McLain (Photo by Craig Wieczorkiewicz/The Midwest League Traveler)