Cougars drop finale to Bees

June 13, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Kane County Cougars News Release

Burlington, IA - Anthony Recker belted two home runs and posted three RBIs Tuesday night but the Kane County Cougars fell, 5-4, to the Burlington Bees at Community Field. The Cougars, who led 3-0 early in the game, are off Wednesday but have the second-place Peoria Chiefs coming to town Thursday night for a four-game series that will end the first half of the season and decide the Western Division winner. Both teams have clinched a playoff spot, and the Cougars own a one-game lead for the top spot in the standings.

The Cougars' first run against Bees pitcher Michael Penn came in the second inning. Frank Martinez roped a two-out double and scored when third baseman Mario Lisson made an error on a grounder by Raul Padron. Then Recker blasted a towering round-tripper in the fourth with Jeff Baisley aboard for a 3-0 Cougars lead.

Trey Shields (6-6), who had won four consecutive starts and lasted seven innings in the last three, allowed two runs -- one earned -- in the fourth, another in the fifth and two in the seventh, leaving with two outs in that inning. He gave up 10 hits, walked two and struck out one over 6 1/3 frames in the loss. Reliever Joe Newby took care of the next 1 1/3 innings to keep the game close.

Recker's second home run of the game -- and seventh of the season -- was a solo shot off closer Gilbert De La Vara that led off the ninth, cutting the score to 5-4. Then Martinez connected for a one-out single but was stranded when the next two hitters struck out. De La Vara's seventh save gave Penn (5-2) the win.

The Cougars (39-26), who hadn't lost consecutive games since May 15-16 or a four-game series since April 25-28, entertain Peoria on Thursday night at 6:30 CDT. Jared Lansford (5-3, 2.36) will face Mitch Atkins (5-1, 1.90) of the Chiefs (38-27).

Midwest League Stories from June 13, 2006

• Bees win series over Cougars - Burlington Bees
• Snappers win third straight - Beloit Sky Carp
• Cougars drop finale to Bees - Kane County Cougars
• J.T. Hall dominates Quad Cities - Southwest Michigan Devil Rays
• Chiefs win streak halted at seven - Peoria Chiefs
• Lansing jumps back into first - Lansing Lugnuts
• Dragons continue to play spoiler, win 5-2 - Dayton Dragons
• Whitecaps drop two straight to end road trip - West Michigan Whitecaps
• Rattlers drop finale in Lansing - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
• Unearned runs burn Swing in loss - Quad Cities River Bandits
• Rally falls just short as Kernels fall, 2-1 - Cedar Rapids Kernels
• Sosa Named MWL Pitcher of the Week - Beloit Sky Carp
• David Cardona moves up to Visalia, Matt Devins Rejoins Team - Southwest Michigan Devil Rays
• Midwest League announces Western Division All-Star roster revision - MWL1
• Dragons and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Team Up for "Home Run for Life" - Dayton Dragons
• Player to be Named Later, Named - Dayton Dragons
• Closer lands on disabled list - Quad Cities River Bandits

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.

Other Recent Kane County Cougars Stories

• Cougars Combine for No-Hitter and Take Series against Saltdogs
• Cougars Drop Heartbreaker in the 11th Inning
• Cougars Take Series Opener Against Saltdogs 3-1
• Cougars Steal Series in Extras against Goldeyes
• Cougars and Goldeyes Split Doubleheader to Start Series