Cougars rally falls short, 11 - 8

September 4, 2004 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Kane County Cougars News Release

Geneva, IL – The Kane County Cougars rallied for six runs in the bottom of the ninth inning but came up short losing to the Lansing Lugnuts 11 – 8 Saturday night at Elfstrom Stadium. Lansing scored in double digits for the second consecutive night as the Cougars were held to just five hits in the first nine innings.

The Lugnuts (76 – 62) broke out the lumber in their first at bat as Kevin Collins hit a grand slam home run, is 33rd dinger of the year to take a quick 4 – 0 lead. Cougars starting pitcher Dallas Braden did not allow another hit to the Nuts until the top of the fifth inning when he was knocked out of the game after giving up three more runs making it a 7 – 0 game. The Cougars (82 – 55) would break a 17 inning scoreless streak in the bottom of the inning when Trevor Brown hit a lead off homer, his fourth of the season, to make it a 7 – 1 contest. The Cougars added another run in their next at bat when Jesse Acosta scored from second on an RBI single from Vasili Spanos making it a 7 – 2 game. The Lugnuts came back to get two unearned runs in the seventh inning, capitalizing on two Cougar errors reclaiming the seven run lead. Lansing padded the lead in the top of the eighth inning getting two more runs on three more hits to take a commanding 11 – 2 lead.

The Cougars would rally in the bottom of the ninth scoring six runs on six hits highlighted by a two run single from Spanos making it an 11 – 8 game. Kris Gross was able to retire the next two Cougar hitters in order to end the game and handing Kane County it's third straight loss. Yorkin Ferreras picked up the win to improve to (2 – 2) while Dallas Braden received his first loss on the year to fall to (2 – 1).

The Cougars and the Lugnuts continue the series Sunday night in a 6:00 p.m. game. Chris Dunwell will take the mound for Kane County, as Ronald Bay gets the start for the Lugnuts at Elfstrom Stadium.

Midwest League Stories from September 4, 2004

• Playoff foe decided - Cedar Rapids Kernels
• Fort Wayne sends Rattlers to fifth straight loss - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
• Bees Eliminated from Playoff Race - Burlington Bees
• Peoria Takes Game 2 - Beloit Sky Carp
• Cougars rally falls short, 11 - 8 - Kane County Cougars
• Clinton shuts out Swing - Quad Cities River Bandits
• Kendrick homers and drives in 4 in Kernels' win - Cedar Rapids Kernels
• Lugnuts jump out to big lead, then hang on - Lansing Lugnuts
• Hunt Reaches Milestone as 'Caps Seek Playoff Opponent - West Michigan Whitecaps
• Yanks blank Dragons 3-0 - Southwest Michigan Devil Rays
• Yankees Win Thriller 3-0, Keep Playoff Hopes Alive - Dayton Dragons
• Whitecaps Cool Thunder To Take Series Lead - West Michigan Whitecaps
• Lugnuts big shutout win helps set new win mark - Lansing Lugnuts

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