MWL1 Kane County Cougars

Cougars Hit Home Stretch on Historic Season

August 25, 2014 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Kane County Cougars News Release


GENEVA, Ill. - The Kane County Cougars, Class-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, are nearing the end of a historic 2014 regular season in which numerous records have been broken, along with a few franchise marks that are within reach as regular season play closes on Monday, September 1.

The Cougars' current record of 86-46 leads both Major and Minor League Baseball. With 8 games remaining, the Cougars need 3 more wins to surpass the '01 team for the most regular season wins in franchise history. That year's team went 88-50 before winning the Midwest League championship.

The Cougars clinched the Western Division first half championship in June with a 45-25 first half record (.643 winning percentage). Only the 2001 Cougars team, which won the league title and included present-day Major League superstars such as Miguel Cabrera and Adrian Gonzalez, won more games in one half of a season with 47 first half wins that year. The first half division title was the first occurrence for the franchise since 2009 and is the 14th time in 24 seasons in which the Cougars have clinched a playoff berth.

The Cougars have amazingly put together an even hotter second half of the season, despite having lost 11 players who have been promoted to the Cubs' Class-A Advanced affiliate, Daytona. Entering play this evening, the team's second half record is 41-21 (.661 winning percentage), which is one win away from breaking the franchise mark for most second half wins (set by the '01 team). This year's Cougars' squad could potentially win the first half and second half Western Division championship as the Cougars lead Cedar Rapids by 2 games. Kane County recently reeled off 13 straight wins, setting a franchise record for longest win streak, most recently held by the '08 Cougars team with 10 straight wins.

The Cougars have already set the record for most single-season home wins in franchise history. The team's 53-15 record at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark leads both Major and Minor League Baseball. Only one team across all of Minor League Baseball has won more than 53 home games in the past decade - the San Antonio Missions won 55 home games in 2011.The Cougars have 3 home games remaining beginning on Saturday.

The Cougars' team ERA of 2.87 leads the 16-team Midwest League. The league record for team ERA was set in 1967 by Appleton (2.52 ERA) and the Cougars' franchise record for team ERA was set in 2003 (3.22). As recently as mid-July, each of the six starting pitchers in the Cougars' rotation held an ERA under 3.00. Other team pitching franchise records that could fall are fewest hits allowed in a season and fewest earned runs.

Individual accolades have come in bunches for the team this season. At least one Cougars player has received a Cubs monthly organizational award as Minor League Pitcher or Player of the Month for four straight months - Will Remillard in April, Paul Blackburn in May, Juan Paniagua in June and Jen-Ho Tseng in July. In May, a pair of Cougars pitchers, Tyler Skulina and Nathan Dorris combined for the 8th no-hitter in franchise history. A quartet of Cougars (Remillard, Blackburn, Jose Arias and Jordan Hankins) were selected to participate in the Midwest League All-Star Game in June. Five players (Jacob Rogers, Daury Torrez, Jeimer Candelario, Duane Underwood, Kyle Schwarber) have been named Midwest League Player or Pitcher of the Week this season.

The Cougars kick off the Midwest League Playoffs next Wednesday, September 3 on the road against a to-be-determined opponent. Entering play this evening, Wisconsin holds the second half wild card playoff spot and could potentially oppose the Cougars in the first round. The Cougars would host Game 2 of the opening round with first pitch set for 6 p.m. The Cougars are offering a playoff special through September 1 as a reserved seat ticket, along with a hot dog, is just $5 for the September 4 game, which is also a Thirsty Thursday with $1 select beers, sodas and hot dogs. If necessary, a third game would also take place at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark on Friday, September 5. If the Cougars were to advance into the second round, they would hold home field advantage with the series opening on the road Saturday, September 6 before returning home on Sunday, September 7 at 6 p.m. Playoff tickets, along with tickets for the Labor Day weekend homestand, are available by calling (630) 232-8811, ordering at kccougars.com or visiting the Cougars' box office at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark between 9-5 Monday through Friday.

Check out the Kane County Cougars Statistics



Midwest League Stories from August 25, 2014


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