Cougars edged by Kernels

August 20, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Kane County Cougars News Release

Geneva, IL - The Kane County Cougars lost track of an early lead against the Cedar Rapids Kernels, came back but fell short in a 6-5 loss Sunday afternoon in front of 8,335 fans at Elfstrom Stadium.

Despite the loss, the Cougars have won six of their last eight games and nine of 11 this season against the Kernels, and their bullpen has not allowed an earned run in a week.

Frank Martinez belted a solo homer in the first against Amalio Diaz for a quick 1-0 lead, Raul Padron smashed a two-out, run-scoring double in the fourth for a 2-0 affair.

The difference in the game turned out to be the Kernels' half of the sixth. Cougars starter Trey Shields, who owned a three-hit shutout through five innings, gave up five runs on as many hits and left with one out in the inning. Joel Posey struck out two hitters to end the inning, but the Cougars trailed 5-2. Shields allowed the five runs on eight hits, walked none and fanned four in five-plus innings.

Jose Pineda's RBI single in the bottom half of the sixth cut it to 5-3, but the Kernels got an unearned run in the seventh against John Herrera, who posted seven strikeouts in three relief frames. The Cougars rallied for two more runs in the seventh, as Justin Sellers and Martinez had run-scoring grounders to make it 6-5 before Kernels closer Ryan Aldridge shut down the Cougars in the final two innings for his 24th save.

Diaz (2-0) got the win, and Shields (10-9) suffered the defeat. The Cougars (34-23) can still win the series Monday at 7 C.T. Kenny Durost (0-0, 5.79) will face Anthony Ortega (1-6, 5.32) for the Kernels (25-31).

Midwest League Stories from August 20, 2006

• Devil Rays take down Chiefs - Southwest Michigan Devil Rays
• Lugnuts pound Whitecaps - Lansing Lugnuts
• Bees drop fifth straight - Burlington Bees
• Cougars edged by Kernels - Kane County Cougars
• Swing take first place with win - Quad Cities River Bandits
• Whitecaps drop second straight to the Lugnuts - West Michigan Whitecaps
• Snappers thrash Lumberkings - Beloit Sky Carp
• Dragons win wild one over Wisconsin 8-7 - Dayton Dragons
• Dragons burn Rattlers with big inning - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
• Road woes continue with 7-5 loss to Cougars - Cedar Rapids Kernels

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