MWL1 Kane County Cougars

Billo, Cougars Stymie Silver Hawks

Published on July 25, 2011 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Kane County Cougars News Release


SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Greg Billo was perfect through five innings and logged 7 2/3 strong innings for a win, and Geulin Beltre hit a two-run homer as the Kane County Cougars rolled past the South Bend Silver Hawks, 4-2, on Monday night at Coveleski Stadium. The Cougars went 4-2 on their six-game road trip, taking two of three in each series, and they have won seven of their 10 2nd Half sets. They also remain in sole possession of both first place and the top playoff spot in the Western Division.

The Cougars never trailed in the contest. Cheslor Cuthbert moved his hitting streak to seven by singling home Brian Fletcher in the second, and Brett Eibner collected an RBI in the third by plating Yowill Espinal. Then Beltre nailed an opposite-field two-run homer in the fifth off Mike Bolsinger (3-5). It was Beltre's first homer since May 20 and the Cougars' 29th homer in 30 games since the all-star break.

Billo (8-2), who leads all of the full-season minor leagues in ERA, retired the first 15 batters he faced before yielding a single in the bottom of the sixth. He retired the next three and saw the minimum in the seventh thanks to a double play before getting into trouble in the eighth and giving up two runs. He allowed five hits, walked none and fanned five over 7 2/3 innings in the victory while his ERA went from 1.41 to 1.48. It was only the fifth time this season in 20 outings that he gave up more than one earned run. Allen Caldwell finished the eighth and struck out three in the ninth to get his first save, as the Silver Hawks (12-18, 46-53) stranded the tying run at second base.

The Cougars (18-12, 46-53) are off Tuesday and open a brief three-game home stand Wednesday night at 6:30 CT with the start of a series against the Cedar Rapids Kernels (13-17, 45-55). Yordano Ventura (2-3, 5.19) is expected to make the start against A.J. Schugel (3-3, 2.91). The game will be broadcast on WBIG 1280-AM and online via kccougars.com with pregame coverage starting at 6:15 p.m.

Pre-game Coverage at 6:15 PM (CT), First Pitch at 6:30 PM on WBIG 1280-AM & kccougars.com

Wednesday's Probable Starters RHP Yordano Ventura (2-3, 5.19) Vs. RHP A.J. Schugel (3-3, 2.91)

WP: Greg Billo (8-2) LP: Mike Bolsinger (3-5) SV: Allen Caldwell (1)

T - 2:13 A - 2,158 Greg Billo (WIN, 7.2IP, 2R)

Notables

- Cheslor Cuthbert (1-for-4) has hit safely in 41 of his 49 games as a Cougar, including 34 of the last 38 and each of the last seven.

- The Cougars have hit 29 home runs and are averaging 4.7 runs per game in 30 games in the 2nd Half after hitting 31 homers and averaging 3.5 runs per game in 69 games in the 1st Half.

- The Cougars are off Tuesday, and Wednesday will begin a 20-game stretch of 20 games in a row before their next off day August 16.

Check out the Kane County Cougars Statistics

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Midwest League Stories from July 25, 2011


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