Duval's Excellent Start Overshadowed in Shutout
Published on July 28, 2016 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Kane County Cougars News Release
GENEVA, Ill. - Exhibiting a lack of clutch offense, the Kane County Cougars (11-22, 44-59), behind a strong start from right-hander Max Duval (0-3), lost on RBI hits from the Cedar Rapids Kernels' (20-13, 56-46) Nelson Molina and Sean Miller by a 2-0 final.
A consummate pitcher's duel ensued from the game's first pitch. On the mound for the Cougars it was a career night for Duval. The former Frontier League hurler tossed seven innings of one run baseball punching out a career high nine batters. He spun three double plays, and the only hits he allowed were all singles.
On the other side, it was the same story from right-hander Sam Gibbons (5-3). Gibbons used his corner-to-corner approach to toss six scoreless frames. Gibbons scattered five hits through his appearance, wielding out of jams to keep Cougar runners in scoring position on multiple occasions.
Presented with multiple chances to knock in the game's first run, the Cougars put two men in scoring position in the second frame on base hits from Trevor Mitsui and the hot-hitting Frank Christy. But after a strikeout and groundout, they were stranded. Newly returned Zach Nehrir was left 90 feet away in the fourth, and Gerard Hernandez on second in the following inning. And in the seventh stanza, Frank Christy's lead-off double did not result in any runs for a Cougars team that has only scored two runs so far in the series.
Scoring first in the seventh against Duval, the Kernels took advantage of two walks with Molina at the plate. The swift hitting middle infielder slugged a low line drive to right field with a man on second to make it 1-0 Kernels. Following up the ninth, Miller's RBI floated to center plated Molina in the ninth to give the Kernels their second run.
Gibbons picked up his fifth win, Duval suffered his third loss in as many tries as Anthony McIver record the two inning save. The Cougars paly the series finale on Friday at 6:30 p.m. Taking the mound, Cougars' right-hander Jose Almonte (0-2) duels against Cedar Rapids' Eddie Del Rosario (2-2). For tickets call 630-232-8811 or visit kccougars.com. ###
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