Bray, Byler Lead Late Charge, But Cougars Fall Short
Published on July 14, 2016 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Kane County Cougars News Release
GENEVA, Ill. - Back home for the first time in over a week, an offensive explosion from the sixth inning onwards was stopped short as the Kane County Cougars (7-13, 40-50) dropped the series opener to the West Michigan Whitecaps (9-9, 48-37) at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark.
The contest was nearly delayed two hours, as the Whitecaps came out of the gate with six runs in the first five innings. The damage started with a home run from the Whitecaps Jose Zambrano in the second inning, a two run shot that was one of 15 total hits for the club on the evening. But the Cougars fought back and scored six runs in the final four innings with half of the run production coming from the league's "Offensive Player of the Week", Austin Byler. The Cougars had a chance to tie or take the lead in the ninth inning.
One of the best hitting team's in the league, the Whitecaps struck for a pair in the second on a Jose Zambrano two-run homer against starter, Emilio Vargas (0-4). It was Zambrano's first home run of 2016 and just the team's 15th blast overall. More runs came in the fourth when the Whitecaps strung together four hits and three runs to open their lead. Will Allen hit his 24th double of the campaign to right field to lead-off the frame followed by an RBI single from Brett Pirtle. Two batters later, Zambrano hit a flair to right field that squeaked in for a base hit and his third RBI.
After the Whitecaps scored one in the fifth inning to take a commanding 6-0 lead, the Cougars stormed back with four unanswered tallies of their own. The damage started in the home half of the sixth when Austin Byler's base hit passed through the right side scoring two. Both runs were charged to the Whitecaps right-handed starter, Spenser Watkins (2-0), who tossed five innings with seven strikeouts.
The Cougars added two more in the seventh inning, even with a chance to tie or take the lead in the frame. Luis Basabe led off the inning with his first base hit as a Cougar. Two men later, Gerard Hernandez's grounder was thrown to second but no one was covering as Colin Bray walked to load the bases. With just one out, Galli Cribbs roped a scorcher to second, although it was fielded and an out was recorded at second, the throw went wild and two runs plated.
With the Cougars only down 6-4, they failed to score any runs in the eighth to continue the rally as the Whitecaps added insurance in the final inning. The second baseman Pirtle slammed a home run against reliever Keegan Long (0-1). But the Cougars made things interesting in the ninth inning. Gerard Hernandez led off with a base hit, followed by an immediate RBI triple by Colin Bray. Austin Byler followed with his third RBI of the night. But Trevor Mitsui and Fernery Ozuna both struck out to end the game as the Cougars lost their second straight.
Thursday, the Cougars continue their series with the Whitecaps. First pitch is slated for 6:30 p.m. from Fifth Third Bank Ballpark. Right-hander Carlos Hernandez (4-5, 2.77 ERA) takes the ball for the Cougars against West Michigan's southpaw, Eudis Idrogo (1-3, 6.75 ERA). For tickets call 630-282-8811 or visit kccougars.com. ###
Midwest League Stories from July 14, 2016
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- 'Caps Tame Cougars in 5-1 Win - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Pitching Leads Hot Rods to Third Straight Win - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- Burlington-7, Loons-6 - Great Lakes Loons
- Bowling Green beats Wisconsin 3-1 - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Cougars Offense Goes Dry in Third Straight Loss - Kane County Cougars
- Dragons Erase 5-0 Deficit, Win 8-6 - Dayton Dragons
- Walsh Powers Bees over Loons - Burlington Bees
- Bandits Even Series with 4-2 Win Thursday - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Quad Cities 4, Fort Wayne 2 - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Marabell Pushes Hit Streak to 11, Captains Lose - Lake County Captains
- Skye Bolt Article - Beloit Sky Carp
- Wells, Wiel Lead Kernels to 8-1 Victory - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Ford Auto Dealers, Dragons Team up to Honor Local Veterans - Dayton Dragons
- Whitecaps Outlast Rain, Cougars - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Bray, Byler Lead Late Charge, But Cougars Fall Short - Kane County Cougars
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