Pitching Reinforcements Arrive
July 29, 2014 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Kane County Cougars News Release
GENEVA, Ill. - The Kane County Cougars, in conjunction with the Chicago Cubs, have announced that pitchers David Garner, Tyler Ihrig and Jasvir Rakkar have joined the Cougars from Short-A Boise. Pitcher Gerardo Concepcion has been promoted to Class-A Advanced Daytona while pitcher Corbin Hoffner has been placed on the disabled list with an upper body injury. Pitcher Paul Blackburn has been moved off the Cougars' 25-man active roster, with Ihrig expected to start later this week. Today's roster moves maintain the Midwest League maximum of 25 active players as the Cougars open a three-game series at Wisconsin tonight. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.
Garner (7th round, 2013) was 1-1 with a 3.60 ERA in 12 relief appearances with Boise this summer. The right-hander pitched collegiately at Michigan State University and struck out a team-high 70 batters during his junior season in 2013. Rakkar (26th round, 2012) was 0-1 with a 7.98 ERA in 7 relief appearances with Boise this season. Rakkar pitched exclusively with Boise last year, going 4-1 with a 3.58 ERA in 20 games. Ihrig (23rd round, 2013) was 4-2 with a 4.44 ERA in 8 starts with Boise this summer. Ihrig also made 3 appearances at Daytona earlier this season before being transferred to Boise.
Concepcion (Non-drafted free agent, 2012) becomes the ninth Cougars player to receive a promotion this season and the fourth player in the past two weeks to move upwards in the Cubs' system, joining Kyle Schwarber, Juan Paniagua and Jake Hannemann. Concepcion, a member of the Cougars' Opening Day roster in April, was sidelined in late May with a foot injury. In seven appearances since re-joining the Cougars in July, he posted a 2.63 ERA. Overall this season with Kane County, Concepcion was 2-2 with a 3.89 ERA in 19 games.
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PLAYOFF TICKETS ON SALE NOW - Fans can purchase tickets for the Cougars' first home playoff game, to be held at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark on Thursday, September 4 at 6 p.m. That evening's game will be Game 2 of a best-of-three series in the Midwest League Playoff's opening round. The Cougars will play the Western Division second half wild card winner, which will be determined later this season.
The September 4 game is a Thirsty Thursday, sponsored by Miller Lite, and will feature $1 select beers, sodas and hot dogs. Group packages for that evening's game, including party suite rentals, are also on sale. Fans can call (630) 232-8811 to order tickets.
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