Cougars Win Streak Stops at Nine

May 27, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Kane County Cougars News Release

Geneva, IL - The Kane County Cougars lost Saturday night for the first time in over a week, falling 8-6 to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in front of a season-high 9.246 fans at Elfstrom Stadium. Closer Steve Sharpe blew his first save of the season in 11 chances, and the Cougars came within one win of tying their franchise record for the longest winning stretch. Steve Kleen had two hits and a pair of RBIs to the lead the Cougars' offense.

The Rattlers scored twice in the second off Kane County starter Jeff Gray, but Kleen scored in the bottom half on a double play to get the Cougars on the board. Mike Massaro scampered home in the third on a wild pitch by Jason Snyder, and Kleen connected for a two-run double to push the Cougars to a 4-2 lead. Jose Pineda's run-scoring single in the sixth against reliever David Asher made it 5-2.

The Rattlers put together three runs in the sixth against Gray for a 5-5 score, forcing the right-hander from the game after he gave up four earned runs on seven hits, walked one and struck out one. Nick Blasi's RBI double in the latter portion gave the Cougars another advantage at 6-5, but Sharpe couldn't hold it in the ninth. Two hits, two walks and an error led to three runs -- two earned -- in the frame and an eventual 8-6 Rattler lead. To make matters worse, Sharpe and Kleen collided in trying to catch a bunt, but fortunately both players remained in the game. The Cougars loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth but failed to score against Joe Woerman, who saved his fourth game.

Nick Allen (2-0) got the win for Wisconsin (19-29), and Sharpe (1-1) suffered the defeat for the Cougars (29-19). The third game of the series is Sunday night at 6 CDT. Jason Ray (3-1, 3.46) will pitch against Justin Thomas (4-4, 2.53).

Midwest League Stories from May 27, 2006

• Cougars Win Streak Stops at Nine - Kane County Cougars
• Wisconsin rally stuns Cougars and stop streaks - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
• Snappers Win on Walk-off Homer - Burlington Bees
• Chirinos, Chiefs Edge LumberKings, 6-4 - Clinton LumberKings
• Devil Rays Lose Second Consecutive to Whitecaps - Southwest Michigan Devil Rays
• Ovalle Blasts Walk-Off Home Run to End Losing Streak - Beloit Sky Carp
• Sadlowski throws eight scoreless, carries no-hit bid into the fifth - Quad Cities River Bandits
• Hendricks Three Run Double Cements Hawks Win - South Bend Silver Hawks
• Silver Hawks Come Back Stuns Dragons - Dayton Dragons
• Tight game turns to a blowout win - West Michigan Whitecaps
• Lugnuts Throttle Wizards - Lansing Lugnuts
• Bees Continue Winning Ways - Burlington Bees

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