Big Inning Dooms Cougars in Lansing
Published on May 9, 2006 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Kane County Cougars News Release
Lansing, MI - The Kane County Cougars had allowed five runs or more in one inning each of the last three games, including a seven-run fifth by Lansing on Monday night. Tuesday, however, the Cougars fueled their own offensive attack with a large frame, bringing home seven players in their half of the fifth to break a 1-1 score and spark an eventual 8-3 win over the Lansing Lugnuts at Oldsmobile Park. That, combined with five solid innings from starter Vince Mazzaro, was plenty of production to even the series.
Lansing grabbed a 1-0 lead against Mazzaro in the first inning, but the right-hander settled down, giving up a hit and a walk the rest of the way and sending down the final 11 batters he faced. He allowed the run on three hits, walked one and fanned four.
The Cougars got even in the third against Lugnuts lefty Chi-Hung Cheng, who entered the game ranked seventh in the Midwest League in ERA (1.84). Justin Sellers doubled, took third on an error by Cheng and scored on Mike Massaro's sacrifice fly.
Kane County's fifth-inning started with Wes Long's double and Sellers' run-scoring base hit. After Massaro reached with a bunt single, Nick Blasi drove in two with a double to go along with his triple earlier in the game. Steve Kleen singled to put runners at first and third for Jeff Baisley, who promptly connected to bring home Blasi for a 5-1 Cougars lead. Jose Pineda singled to load the bases, and Kleen scampered to the plate on a wild pitch to make it 6-1. Long smacked a two-run double to complete the rally with an 8-1 cushion.
Dan Fyvie allowed a run in two innings of relief, and Brad Kilby gave up a tally for the first time since April 9, a span of 10 appearances and 15 innings. Steve Sharpe tossed a perfect ninth to close out the 8-3 final. Mazzaro (3-3) posted the win, and Cheng (5-2) took the loss.
The Cougars (18-14) and Lugnuts (20-12) play game three Wednesday morning at 9:35 CDT. Jeff Gray (2-2, 6.75) will face Kristian Bell (2-1, 4.22).
Midwest League Stories from May 9, 2006
- Second Annual Kernels Foundation Benefit 5K Run/Walk - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Kernels slay Dragons in 9-0 romp - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Swing slip up in Wisconsin - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Kane County Clips Lansing - Lansing Lugnuts
- Rattlers go long to beat Swing - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Devil Rays Show No Signs of Slowing Down - Southwest Michigan Devil Rays
- Bees Blank Silver Hawks - Burlington Bees
- Devil Rays Add Insult to Injury - Clinton LumberKings
- Big Inning Dooms Cougars in Lansing - Kane County Cougars
- Kernels Blank Dragons 9-0 - Dayton Dragons
- Wizards Deep-Six Chiefs Win Streak - Peoria Chiefs
- Hawks blanked, 2-0 - South Bend Silver Hawks
- Justice powers comeback - West Michigan Whitecaps
- New look for Wizards roster - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- No bull: âMoose' named MWL Pitcher of the Week - Cedar Rapids Kernels
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
