Cougars One Win Away from Playoff Spot
June 5, 2014 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Kane County Cougars News Release
GENEVA, Ill. - The Cougars quickly trimmed the magic number since coming home, as two straight victories over the LumberKings has the Cougars just one win away from a 2014 Midwest League Playoff berth. The Cougars (40-20) guaranteed another series victory with a 7-3 win over the Clinton LumberKings (29-29).
With losses from Quad Cities and Peoria after the Cougars victory, the magic number for a playoff spot is down to one, while the magic number for a division title in the first half is two. Both spots can be decided by Friday.
The Lumber Kings jumped out to a lead in the first inning for the second straight game, but the Cougars evened things up in the home half as Jordan Hankins doubled home Jake Hannemann for a 1-1 tie.
Clinton scattered two more runs, before the Cougars tied things up in the fifth. Hankins punched in Hannemann once again with an RBI single and Ben Carhart tied the game scoring on a passed ball.
Despite not getting a hit in the sixth frame, the Cougars took their first lead when Jacob Rogers walked and came all the way around the base paths to score thanks to two errors on one play from Joe DeCarlo. After taking a 4-3 lead, the Cougars never looked back.
A one-run advantage didn't stop the Cougars from adding to their lead. With runners at the corners, Carlos Penalver delivered an RBI single to left field and Austin Wilson's errant throw allowed Trey Martin to score as well. Hannemann capped off a three-run inning with a sacrifice fly to plate Penalver.
Tyler Skulina (4-2) picked up the win with his third quality start of six innings allowing two earned runs on two hits and striking out five. Seon Gi Kim (0-1) suffered the loss. Michael Wagner tossed the final three innings scoreless for his first save of the season.
The Cougars will go for a sweep and a playoff berth on Friday in the series finale. Daury Torrez (5-3, 3.36) will make the start for the Cougars against the LumberKings' Edwin Diaz (2-2, 3.22). First pitch from Fifth Third Bank Ballpark is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. for tickets call 630-232-8811 or visit kccougars.com.
Midwest League Stories from June 5, 2014
- Hot Rods and Dragons Split Doubleheader - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- TinCaps Swept in Doublehader - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Snappers Escape with 9-8 Victory over Chiefs - Beloit Sky Carp
- Big sixth-inning gets Rattlers their third straight win - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Dragons Split Doubleheader at Bowling Green - Dayton Dragons
- Cougars One Win Away from Playoff Spot - Kane County Cougars
- Bernard Sparks Caps, Playoff Push Continues - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Captains Take Two from TinCaps on Thursday - Lake County Captains
- Bees Nip Bandits 2-1 - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Chiefs Fall 9-8 Thursday - Peoria Chiefs
- Hawks assert themselves, top Lugs 7-3 - Lansing Lugnuts
- Bees Edge River Bandits - Burlington Bees
- Cougars Lose Versatile Pitcher to Promotion - Kane County Cougars
- Claire Wenisch 2014 Adenhart Memorial Scholarship Winner - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Whitecaps Get Creative with Pepsi "Lost Art of Bunting" Contest - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Family of Four Can Attend a MiLB Game for an Average of $63 - MWL1
- Dstreet Music Concert Coming to Dow Diamond - Great Lakes Loons
- Two More Silver Hawks Selected for the Midwest League All-Star Game - South Bend Silver Hawks
- Lake County Captains Professional Baseball Club to Offer Two Peanut Free Nights at Classic Park - Lake County Captains
- Brennan's Blast Beats Kernels in Wisconsin's Walk-Off Win - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Loons Find It's Not Easy Beating Green - Great Lakes Loons
- Brennan's blast sends Rattlers to win - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- L'Kings Can't Hold 4-0 Lead, Lose 5-4 to Cougars - Clinton LumberKings
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.
