Cougars Take Rubber Game from Kernels
Published on June 9, 2014 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Kane County Cougars News Release
GENEVA, Ill. - The Cougars capped off a first half home schedule with a 28-7 record at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark after taking the rubber game from the Cedar Rapids Kernels 2-1 on Monday evening. The First Half Western Division Champion Cougars (43-21) and Kernels (28-36) combined for only five hits total in a game that featured rehabbing Chicago Cubs outfielder Ryan Sweeney.
Cedar Rapids struck first with a run in the opening inning as Ryan Walker singled to begin the ball game and stole second base. Moving to third on Engelb Vielma's ground out, Walker scored on Chad Christensen's ground out to first base. The early 1-0 lead for the Kernels turned out to be the only run they would score all day.
The Cougars took the lead in the fourth when Jordan Hankins reached on a one out walk. Jacob Rogers followed up by nearly taking Kernels' starting pitcher Kohl Stewart deep, but Rogers' drive bounced off the top of the wall. Hankins scored easily, but Cedar Rapids' right fielder Jon Murphy struggled with the ricocheted ball and Rogers moved to third on an error. Two batters later Daniel Lockhart hit a short fly to left center that Jason Kanzler wowed those in attendance at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark with a diving catch. But Kanzler couldn't hold Rogers at third as he tagged and scored for a 2-1 Cougars' lead.
The 2-1 advantage for the Cougars looked slim, but held for the rest of the contest thanks to solid relief pitching. Jen-Ho Tseng tossed just three innings in his return from the disabled list, but was followed up with a bullpen trio that struck out 11 Kernels and allowed only one hit. Michael Heesch worked two and one-third scoreless frames before James Pugliese's two and two-third input with no runs. Tyler Bremer finished off the ninth for his seventh save of the year.
Sweeney went 0-for-2 with a walk against his hometown team in Cedar Rapids.
The Cougars now begin their first half ending road trip as they will visit the Peoria Chiefs. Tuesday's game features a pitching matchup of Tyler Skulina (4-2, 2.93) for the Cougars against the Chiefs' Chase Brookshire (1-3, 6.21). First pitch from Dozer Park is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. The game can be heard on AM 1280 WBIG and kccougars.com.
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