MWL1 Kane County Cougars

Cougars are capsized in the ninth, lose 5-4

Published on May 15, 2003 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Kane County Cougars News Release


Geneva, IL - The West Michigan Whitecaps (22-19) scored four times in the ninth inning off Jeff Muessig (0-1), overcoming a 4-1 deficit, and beating the Cougars (27-14), 5-4. Muessig blew his first save of the season and allowed his first runs in 17 innings pitched. The loss for Kane County was their first when leading after eight innings, dropping them to 19-1.

Jermy Rodriguez (1-1), who surrendered a three-run home run to Nelson Cruz in the eighth inning, managed to get the victory. The Cougars and the Whitecaps were tied at 1-1 in the eighth inning, before the Cougars touched Rodriguez for three hits. Cruz's home run was his league leading 11th blast, and stays up top in the league's RBI column with 38.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, Brant Colamarino managed a two-out walk against Juan Figueroa, but the rally was halted when Ian Ostlund relieved Figueroa and struck out John Baker to end the game.

What was lost in tonight's game was Bill Murphy's dominant starting performance. Murphy threw 91 pitches, allowing two hits (both in the sixth inning), one run, and struck out five. Edwardo Sierra worked a perfect eighth inning for the Cougars, his second scoreless appearance of the series.

Francis Gomez delivered home the first run of the game, singling in Brian Stavisky with two outs in the fifth inning. The RBI was the 21st for Gomez, and the team's 69th run knocked in with runners in scoring position and two outs.

West Michigan tied the game at one in the sixth inning. Juan Gonzalez doubled with one out and score on a two-out RBI single by Scott Moore.

Cougars wrap up their four-game series with the Whitecaps tomorrow night at Elfstrom Stadium - game time is 6:30 PM. Cristian Gonzalez RHP (4-0, 2..08) makes his 9th appearance and his fourth start of the season for Kane County; Troy Pickford RHP (2-3, 3.23) gets the start for West Michigan.

6:15 PM Cougars On-Deck Show, 6:30 PM First Pitch on AM-1280 WBIG.

Check out the Kane County Cougars Statistics

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Midwest League Stories from May 15, 2003


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