Cougars Swept in Southwest Michigan

August 4, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Kane County Cougars News Release

Battle Creek, MI - After getting rained out Thursday night, the Kane County Cougars and Southwest Michigan Devil Rays played a doubleheader Friday night at C.O. Brown Stadium. It wasn't rain but rather a lack of hitting that poured on the Cougars, as they lost 1-0 and 4-0 in a pair of seven-inning contests. The Cougars were swept in a four-game series for the first time this season and have lost a season-high five consecutive road games.

Jared Lansford took the mound for the Cougars in the first game and suffered a tough-luck loss, his first defeat since late June. The game's only run came as an unearned tally in the fourth when a Frank Martinez throwing error allowed to Cesar Suarez to reach base and eventually come around for the 1-0 score.

Lansford (11-6), who held a no-hitter through three innings, got credit for a complete game, logging six innings and giving up three hits, walking two and fanning three. The Cougars' offense, however, managed three hits against D-Rays starter Matt Walker (4-3), who grabbed the victory when Greg Dupas notched his 24th save.

The Cougars didn't fare much better in the second game, as they managed two hits and struck out 10 times in five innings against Jake McGee (7-8) who picked up the win and added to his league-leading strikeout total. Joe Piekarz (5-6) started for the Cougars but left in the second inning after allowing four runs on three hits over 1 2/3 innings.

Kane County loaded the bases in the final inning of each game but couldn't locate a clutch base hit. Jose Pineda drew four walks in the two games, and Joe Newby and Randy Rapp combined for 4 1/3 innings of one-hit scoreless relief in the second game to provide a couple of bright spots.

The Cougars (24-18) return home to start a four-game series Saturday night against division-rival Peoria. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. CT, as Trey Shields (9-8, 4.91) opposes Joel Santo (1-1, 3.48) for the Chiefs (22-20).

Midwest League Stories from August 4, 2006

• Damico Assigned to Idaho Falls - Burlington Bees
• QC goes 5-3 on road trip with series win, takes over first place - Quad Cities River Bandits
• Cougars Swept in Southwest Michigan - Kane County Cougars
• Chiefs Conclude Homestand in Sweeping Fashion - Peoria Chiefs
• Bees Rally Comes Up Short - Burlington Bees
• Devil Rays Sweep the West's Best - Southwest Michigan Devil Rays
• Snappers take season series over Dayton with 3-1 win Friday night - Dayton Dragons
• The Bees and Kansas City Royals Extend Affiliation Through 2010 - Burlington Bees
• Quad Cities Swing Way Past Lugnuts In 12th - Lansing Lugnuts
• Kernels strand 11 in 3-2 loss to Chiefs - Cedar Rapids Kernels
• Wizards whack Wisconsin with three-run ninth - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
• Roa is Mr. Clutch in 14-inning victory - West Michigan Whitecaps
• Beloit Earns a Series Split With Dayton - Beloit Sky Carp
• Mulder to pitch for Swing Sunday - Quad Cities River Bandits
• No ‘dog days' in this August home stand - Cedar Rapids Kernels
• Rosario just misses the cycle as Kernels fall, 7-3 - Cedar Rapids Kernels

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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