Cougars Go Deep, Hang On Against Wizards
May 21, 2005 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Kane County Cougars News Release
Fort Wayne, IN â The Kane County Cougars connected for 11 hits Saturday night in Fort Wayne, beating the Wizards 7-4 at Memorial Stadium. Ryan Ruiz's three-run third-inning homer gave the Cougars their first lead in the series and later Kory Wayment blasted a two-run shot to pad the lead.
Ruiz drove one over the fence in left in the third with Raul Padron and Nick Blasi aboard for a 3-0 game. Kane County added a run in the fifth. Blasi singled, stole second and was thrown out trying to score on Kevin Melillo's single. Melillo moved to second after the toss to the plate and came home when Tommy Everidge singled for a 4-0 score.
Fort Wayne got two unearned runs in the sixth off Cougars starter Ryan Ford to make it 4-2, but Melillo's RBI double in the seventh to plate Ruiz and Wayment's two-run home run in the eighth helped Kane County regain control. The Wizards got a pair in the bottom of the eighth off reliever Keith Perez before Clay Tichota entered to stop the rally at 7-4. Scot Drucker worked the ninth to get the save and the Cougars victory.
Ford (5-2) got the win after six innings, allowed two unearned runs on three hits, walked two and fanned seven. Fabian Jimenez (3-4) lasted 4 2/3 as Fort Wayne's starter and took the loss. Drucker nailed his eleventh save.
The Cougars (20-21) and Wizards (22-18) conclude the four-game series Sunday afternoon at 2 CDT. Mike Rogers (1-2, 5.36) pitches for Kane County against right-hander Mike Ekstrom (5-0, 1.41).
Midwest League Stories from May 21, 2005
- Cougars Go Deep, Hang On Against Wizards - Kane County Cougars
- Swing outslug Bees - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Chiefs beat Day 1-0 - Peoria Chiefs
- Offense stuck in low gear - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Bees Comeback Falls Short Against Swing - Burlington Bees
- Snappers Pound Silverhawks - Beloit Sky Carp
- Peoria Pitching Stifles Dayton, 1-0 - Dayton Dragons
- Devil Rays pick up second straight win - Southwest Michigan Devil Rays
- Fasano goes deep to beat Rattlers - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Off the DL and Back on the Hill - Dayton Dragons
- Snappers May 26th Day Game Change - Beloit Sky Carp
- Kernels announce roster move - Cedar Rapids Kernels
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
