Cougars Win Seventh Straight Behind Sharp, Bullpen
AA Kane County Cougars

Cougars Win Seventh Straight Behind Sharp, Bullpen

Published on August 5, 2026 under American Association (AA)
Kane County Cougars News Release


GENEVA, IL - The Kane County Cougars (38-31) stretched their season-best winning streak to seven games Wednesday night at Northwestern Medicine Field, defeating the Cleburne Railroaders (35-36) 3-1 behind another strong pitching performance and timely hitting.

Reese Sharp (5-6) turned in 5.2 innings of one-run baseball to earn his fifth victory of the season, while the Cougar bullpen combined for 3.1 scoreless innings to preserve the win. Jake Gozzo recorded his league-leading 16th save, striking out the final batter with the tying run 90 feet away.

Kane County grabbed an early lead in the first when Armond Upshaw worked a leadoff walk, stole second for his 35th stolen base of the season, and scored on Jairus Richards' RBI single down the right-field line.

Cleburne evened the game in the fourth after Angel Mendoza's RBI single plated Carter Aldrete, but the Cougars answered immediately. Todd Lott opened the bottom of the inning by launching his fifth home run of the season- his first at Northwestern Medicine Field- over the left-center field wall to put Kane County back in front, 2-1.

Sharp scattered eight hits while striking out four before handing the ball to the bullpen. Jordan Martinson and Jake Gilbert bridged the middle innings before Art Warren delivered a perfect eighth.

The Cougars added an insurance run in the seventh when newcomer Cooper Weiss ripped a two-out RBI double into the left-center field gap, scoring Zane Spinn to extend the lead to 3-1. It marked Weiss' first hit and first RBI in a Cougar uniform.

Gozzo made things interesting in the ninth after allowing a two-out triple, but the right-hander finished the game by striking out Caleb McNeely swinging for his American Association-leading 16th save.

Reese Sharp earned the win, while John Baker (6-3) took the loss after allowing three runs over seven innings.

With the victory, the Cougars secured another series win and pushed their season-best winning streak to seven games as they continue their climb in the American Association standings.

The Cougars will finish their series with the Cleburne Railroaders tomorrow, August 6th, at 6:30 PM at Northwestern Medicine Field. It will be Throwback Night with fans receiving a throwback Cougars jersey presented by Country Financial. There will also be an appearance by White Sox World Series champion Scott Podsednik, as well as postgame fireworks. For more information, visit kccougars.com or call 630-232-8811.

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