Cougars clinch playoff spot in grand fashion

June 11, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Kane County Cougars News Release

Burlington, IA - The Kane County Cougars' 8-4 win Sunday afternoon over the Burlington Bees solidified the ninth playoff berth in the franchise's 16-year history. Steve Kleen cracked a grand slam in the fifth inning that broke open the game and sent the Cougars to victory behind Ron Madej, who made his first professional start.

Frank Martinez poked a two-run single in the second off Bees starter David Henninger for a 2-0 lead. Later in the inning Raul Padron's grounder and Justin Sellers' sacrifice fly provided Madej with a 4-0 advantage.

The left-handed Cougar allowed all three of his runs in the third and lasted five innings. Madej (2-1) walked three and fanned two for his second win, both of which have come against the Bees.

Kleen's grand slam arrived with no outs and Sellers, Mike Massaro and Nick Blasi on base. It cleared the left-field fence and gave the Cougars an 8-3 lead. Jeff Gray provided two scoreless relief innings, Dan Fyvie surrendered an eighth-inning tally and T.J. Franco tossed the ninth for the 8-4 final.

The Cougars (39-24) have now clinched a playoff spot in three of their four years as an Oakland affiliate and six of the last eight overall. Jason Ray (6-1, 3.17) squares off against Chris Nicoll (3-4, 2.59) of the Bees (30-31) on Monday night at 7 CDT in the third game of the series.

Midwest League Stories from June 11, 2006

• Marathon effort comes up short - Cedar Rapids Kernels
• Norwood, Chiefs crush LumberKings - Clinton LumberKings
• New kid helps Devil Rays win second consecutive - Southwest Michigan Devil Rays
• Cougars Kleen bases to beat Bees - Burlington Bees
• Rasmus homer not enough for Swing - Quad Cities River Bandits
• Whitecaps headed to the playoffs - West Michigan Whitecaps
• Cougars clinch playoff spot in grand fashion - Kane County Cougars
• Snappers pound Silver Hawks - Beloit Sky Carp
• Chiefs inch closer to playoffs with 11-2 blowout win - Peoria Chiefs
• Lugnuts rattle Wisconsin - Lansing Lugnuts
• Dragons drop close one to West Michigan - Dayton Dragons
• Whitecaps magic number is 1; West Michigan wins, 4-3 - West Michigan Whitecaps
• Lansing sends Rattlers to fourth loss in a row - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
• Matt Spring and John Matulia Placed on Hudson Valley Roster - Southwest Michigan Devil Rays

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