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MWL1 Kane County Cougars

Defense Falters as Cougars Drop Contest in Peoria

July 5, 2016 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Kane County Cougars News Release


PEORIA, Ill. - Committing a season-high five errors, the Kane County Cougars (4-9, 37-46) failed to keep hold of two three-run leads as the Peoria Chiefs (6-7, 46-37) beat the Cougars in comeback fashion again on Tuesday night from Dozer Park.

The Cougars have started their seven-game road trip 0-2 after a winning seven-game homestand that culminated with a walk-off win on July 3rd against Quad Cities.

Austin Byler and Joe Munoz headlined superior offensive showings for the Cougars, but their support was overshadowed by an error ridden day for the Cougars. The biggest moment in the game came in the fourth inning when the Chiefs scored four runs on one play with two Cougar throwing errors. On the play, Magneuris Sierra was credited with just a single but eventually scored on an errant toss into left field.

Facing Brennan Leitao (5-7) for the first time this season, the Cougars pursuit to end a nine-game losing skid at Dozer Park started off with a three-run first inning. Extending his hit streak to nine games, Joe Munoz walloped a two RBI base hit slotted at third in the Cougars lineup. And Munoz later scored on a Trevor Mitsui groundout providing a healthy lead for left-hander Junior Garcia (3-7).

The Chiefs added a run in the third, but the Cougars padded their lead to three again with a run scoring fourth inning. Austin Byler swatted his second triple of 2016 to greet Leitao in the frame. He scored on a Mitsui RBI to center field as the Cougars led 4-1.

But that was the last moment of comfort for the Cougars who allowed six unanswered runs to the Chiefs who took a 7-4 lead after five frames. In addition to pure offense, the Cougars committed a season high five errors in the game.

The turning point in the fourth occurred when the Cougars made two throwing errors on one play as the Chiefs scored four to take a lead. Peoria's Magneuris Sierra singled with the bases loaded. But Sierra and the rest of the runners all scored after Colin Bray made a wild throw to center field followed up by a throwing misfire from catcher Frank Christy into left field.

As Garcia was lifted in the fifth, the Chiefs put up two more runs. The two RBI base hit came with two outs from R.J. Dennard against right-hander, Keegan Long (0-1). Garcia finished the night with four and one-third innings pitched on six runs but just one was earned.

Jose Martinez (0-0) made his Cougars debut in the bullpen tossing a scoreless frame with two strikeouts. Martinez pitched part of last season with the Cougars. Julio Perez (0-0) also logged a scoreless inning of relief with a fastball clocked in the high 90s.

Those bullpen efforts allowed the Cougars to stay close with a rally in the final inning. In his return to the ball club, Joey Armstrong homered to cut the deficit to two. But Luke Harrison (4) hung on for the save striking out the side giving Leitao the win and Garcia his team leading seventh loss for the Cougars.

Wednesday, the Cougars continue their series with the Chiefs for an 11 a.m contest. The radio broadcast will only be available on kccougars.com.

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