Cougars Split Doubleheader with Rattlers
June 7, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Kane County Cougars News Release
Appleton, WI - After being postponed by rain Tuesday night, the Kane County Cougars and Wisconsin Timber Rattlers played two seven-inning games on Wednesday afternoon at Fox Cities Stadium, as the Cougars took the first contest 3-2 and fell 6-2 in the second part.
Kane County right-hander Jason Ray (6-1) got the day started with an excellent performance, his second complete game of the year and fifth consecutive win. He allowed two runs on five hits over the seven innings, walked two and fanned four.
Anthony Recker gave the Cougars a 1-0 lead against Rattlers starter Ruben Flores with a solo home run to lead off the fourth inning and scored on Jose Pineda's double in the sixth against Roman Martinez. Then Isaac Omura followed with a run-producing single for a 3-0 score. Wisconsin rallied for two runs in the bottom of the seventh before Ray nailed down the win by getting Luis Valbuena to ground out to shortstop Justin Sellers. Flores (0-5) suffered the loss.
The Cougars took a brief 2-0 lead against Justin Ockerman in the second inning of the second game when Jose Pineda singled in Recker and Raul Padron's sacrifice fly plated Pineda.
Starter Jeff Gray, after a perfect first, ran into trouble in the bottom half. He walked one, plunked two and surrendered three hits during a four-run inning that turned the game around in favor of the Rattlers. Gray (2-5) tossed a flawless third before allowing two more in the fourth for the 6-2 count and eventually taking the defeat. Joe Piekarz added two scoreless relief innings to give the Cougars' offense a chance for a rally, but the team produced just one hit over the final four innings. Nick Allen (4-0) relieved Ockerman and got the win.
The Cougars (36-23) and Rattlers (25-34) play again Thursday night at 7:05 CDT. Trey Shields (5-5, 5.66) will face left-hander Paul Fagan (2-5, 4.70).
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