Cougars Walk Off, Can Clinch Monday
Published on September 3, 2018 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Kane County Cougars News Release
GENEVA, Ill.- Monday's 2018 regular season finale will decide the Cougars' fate for the 2018 playoffs. With a 10-inning walk-off win Sunday night, the Kane County Cougars (37-31, 72-65) can clinch a playoff spot with a win against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (36-33, 67-71) on Monday. A bases-loaded walk to Tim Susnara forced in the game-winning run of Ryan Dobson to give the Cougars their eighth walk-off win of the year.
After Kyler Stout (2-2) prevented Wisconsin from scoring their inherited runner in the top of the extra frame, the game worked in the Cougars favor. Dobson pinch ran for Jose Herrera to take over at second base and advanced to third on Tra Holmes' sacrifice bunt. Wisconsin manager Matt Erickson then played the matchup and brought in right-hander Christian Meister to take over for Clayton Andrews (6-1). Jose Caballero was first to face Meister, and his groundout to second base put Wisconsin one out away from escaping the jam. The Timber Rattlers intentionally walked Yoel Yanqui and went with another righty-righty matchup against Jancarlos Cintron. Meister worked ahead of the count to Cintron, but walked the Cougar shortstop to load the bases. Tim Susnara also found himself behind in the count to Meister, but the Timber Rattler reliever fell behind to Susnara 3-2 and walked him with an elevated pitch.
Pitching prevailed for the majority of the game as a 1-1 tie stalled from the third inning into the 10th. Cougar starter Mack Lemieux tied his season high with nine strikeouts in five and one-third innings. Lemieux's lone run allowed was a Jay Feliciano solo home run in the third inning.
The Cougars quickly tied the game on a wild pitch to score Holmes in the bottom of the third.
Tyler Keele was first to take the mound after Lemieux and the right-handed reliever tossed two and one-third scoreless innings. Keele's last inning was in the eighth after putting two runners on. Stout inherited the pair of runners and got David Fry to ground out to end the inning. Stout also tossed a perfect ninth inning.
With a win in the regular season finale, the Cougars can clinch a playoff berth. Left-hander Lane Ratliff takes the mound for the Cougars (7-1, 2.15) against Wisconsin's Dylan File (7-10, 4.11). First pitch from Northwestern Medicine Field is at 1:00 p.m. For tickets call 630-232-8811 or visit kccougars.com.
Midwest League Stories from September 3, 2018
- Season Ends in 10-Inning Loss - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Cougars Await Beloit Final for Playoff Fate - Kane County Cougars
- Rattlers Close Out 2018 With a Win - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Cubs Close 2018 Campaign with 1-0 Shutout Win over Loons - South Bend Cubs
- River Bandits Close Regular Season with Sweep of Chiefs - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Cubs Steal Regular Season Finale - Great Lakes Loons
- Ascanio Homers as Chiefs Fall Monday - Peoria Chiefs
- Captains Close Season on Winning Streak - Lake County Captains
- Regular Season Ends with 3-2 Loss, Postseason up Next for Nuts - Lansing Lugnuts
- Final game of the year washed out - Clinton LumberKings
- Dragons Fall to Hot Rods in Season Finale, 4-0 - Dayton Dragons
- All's Well That Ends Well: Hot Rods Close Regular Season With 4-0 Win - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- Calvin Faucher activated from 7-day DL - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- 2019 Loons Schedule Announced - Great Lakes Loons
- Donato Named Midwest League Player of the Month for August - Quad Cities River Bandits
- TinCaps Game Notes: September 3 at West Michigan (Game 138/138) - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Cougars Walk Off, Can Clinch Monday - Kane County Cougars
- Rattlers Playoff Hopes End with Walkoff Loss at Kane County - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
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