MWL1 Kane County Cougars

Cougars Score First Again but Fall

Published on June 16, 2011 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Kane County Cougars News Release


BURLINGTON, Iowa - For the third game in a row, the Kane County Cougars scored first and early against the Burlington Bees, and for the third game in a row, that lead vanished later. Thursday night the Cougars suffered a 6-2 loss at Community Field, and they were swept in the three-game series. The Cougars have lost seven of their last eight games and 12 of their last 17.

Yowill Espinal got the Cougars the game's first run in the third against Blake Hassebrock (4-2). Espinal singled, stole second, took third on a grounder and scored on a wild pitch to make it 1-0. Then Jake Kuebler connected for a two-out RBI single in the sixth to plate Angel Franco for a 2-0 game. All of the Cougars' runs in the series were scored before the seventh inning, and the Burlington bullpen logged 1 1/3 shutout frames.

The 2-0 lead disappeared in the bottom of the sixth. Starter Leondy Perez (1-7) had logged five shutout frames and retired 10 in a row at one point, but he gave up four runs -- two earned -- in the sixth. Wade Kirkland's one-out two-run double gave Burlington a lead it didn't give back. The Bees also added a two-out two-run triple in the seventh from Yordy Cabrera off Mitch Hodge for the 6-2 final. Perez gave up four runs -- two earned -- on eight hits, walked none and fanned five. It was his eighth quality start in nine outings but also his second straight defeat.

The Cougars (27-39) return home Friday night at 7 CT to start a three-game series against the Clinton LumberKings (21-45), the Cougars' final set before the all-star break. Leonel Santiago (4-6, 3.26) is scheduled to face Taijuan Walker (2-2, 2.61). The game will be broadcast on WBIG 1280-AM and online via kccougars.com with pregame coverage starting at 6:45 p.m.

Pre-game Coverage at 6:45 PM (CT), First Pitch at 7:00 PM on WBIG 1280-AM & kccougars.com

Friday's Probable Starters RHP Leonel Santiago (4-6, 3.26) Vs. RHP Taijuan Walker (2-2, 2.61)

WP: Blake Hassebrock (4-2) LP: Leondy Perez (1-7) SV:

T - 2:42 A - 542

Angel Franco (2-for-4, RS)

Notables

- Ryan Stovall did not play Thursday but has hit safely in nine straight games and 16 of his last 17(23-for-63, .365). He also has reached base safely in 21 consecutive games.

- Angel Franco went 7-for-13 in the series in Burlington and has hit safely in seven of his last eight games.

- Leondy Perez is tied with Leonel Santiago for the Cougars' team lead in quality starts with nine.

Check out the Kane County Cougars Statistics

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Midwest League Stories from June 16, 2011


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