Cougars One Win from Playoff Berth
June 9, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Kane County Cougars News Release
Appleton, WI - The Kane County Cougars defeated the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, 3-2, Friday night at Fox Cities Stadium to win their fifth series out of the last six. Jared Lansford pitched six innings and gave up one unearned run, and Anthony Recker's two-run homer in the sixth gave the Cougars a lead they never relinquished. The Cougars retained their three-game lead over Peoria atop the Western Division and can clinch a playoff spot with a win Saturday and a Beloit loss.
The Rattlers' only run against Lansford arrived in the fourth after an error by first baseman Steve Kleen. Curtis Ledbetter delivered a single to make it 1-0.
Meanwhile the Cougars had been missing out on scoring opportunities against Wisconsin starter Harold Williams, stranding six runners through five innings. Jeff Baisley walked to start the sixth, and Recker smashed a two-run shot over the left-field fence for his fifth home run and a 2-1 Cougars lead. Kleen connected for a run-scoring single in the seventh against reliever Roman Martinez to make it 3-1.
Lansford (5-3) left after six innings, scattering five hits, fanning three and walking none for the first time this season. Rob Semerano tossed a perfect seventh before T.J. Franco allowed the Rattlers' final run of the night in the eighth. Brad Kilby finished that frame, and Steve Sharpe posted a perfect ninth for his 12th save. Williams (1-3) took the loss.
The Cougars (38-23), at a season-high 15 games above .500, now head to Burlington, Iowa, to continue their eight-game road trip. They open a four-game set with the Bees at 7 CDT on Saturday night. Vince Mazzaro (6-4, 4.92) looks for his fourth win in five starts when he faces Burlington right-hander Carlos Rosa (5-3, 2.84).
Midwest League Stories from June 9, 2006
- Bees Swept by Chiefs - Burlington Bees
- Streak snapped at six with 8-6 win over Swing - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Cougars One Win from Playoff Berth - Kane County Cougars
- Kane County claws out a win - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Thon is Clutch in Extra-Inning Win - Clinton LumberKings
- The Newby Kid Gets It Done - South Bend Silver Hawks
- Kernels score in six of nine innings - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Dragons Upend Lugnuts - Lansing Lugnuts
- Dragons Strip Lugnuts Picking Up 12-5 Win - Dayton Dragons
- Geer dominates, Wizards top the Whitecaps - West Michigan Whitecaps
- All-Star tickets almost gone - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Rasmus rewarded for torrid month of May - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Kernels Sports Information Director steps aside - Cedar Rapids Kernels
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