Home Runs Fuel Cougars Comeback

May 18, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Kane County Cougars News Release

Geneva, IL - The Kane County Cougars blasted three solo home runs Thursday night against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, helping to erase a 5-0 deficit and claim an 8-7 win in front of 5,958 fans at Elfstrom Stadium. The win kept the Cougars a half game behind Peoria for first place in the Western Division and gives them a chance to win the series with the Rattlers on Friday.

Cougars starter Trey Shields, working on four days rest, lasted just one inning and gave up three runs for a quick deficit. Joe Piekarz took over for the next 3 1/3 frames and surrendered one tally for a 4-0 game entering the fifth inning.

Isaac Omura, Justin Sellers and Mike Massaro singled off Wisconsin starter Harold Williams to load the bases. Williams then delivered a wild pitch that plated Omura, and Sellers came around after the ball was thrown away. Massaro, who went to third during the wild play, scampered home on Nick Blasi's sacrifice fly to bring the Cougars within one, 4-3.

Wisconsin posted an unearned run against reliever John Herrera to make it 5-3, but the Cougars began to play long ball. Jose Pineda led off the sixth with a home run off Jeff Gilmore, and Steve Kleen followed with his first blast of the year to tie it 5-5. A two-run single by Frank Martinez later in the frame against Rollie Gibson put Kane County up 7-5.

Wisconsin answered with a pair of runs against Ron Madej in the seventh, but Anthony Recker smacked an opposite-field shot to lead off the bottom half and give the Cougars their 8-7 lead. Steve Sharpe worked the final two innings to record his eighth save and make a winner of T.J. Franco (2-0), who finished the seventh for Madej. Edgar Guaramato (1-1) took the loss.

The Cougars (22-18) and Rattlers (17-23) finish their four-game series on Friday night at 6:30 CDT. Jared Lansford (2-1, 1.59), fresh off his no-hitter last Sunday, will take the mound against Ruben Flores (0-2, 5.31).

Midwest League Stories from May 18, 2006

• Bees Take Down Lugnuts in Extras - Lansing Lugnuts
• Bees Beat Lansing in 12 for Fifth Straight Win - Burlington Bees
• Devil Rays Lose a Rain Soaked Game - Southwest Michigan Devil Rays
• LumberKings Lose Tough Game in Extras - Clinton LumberKings
• Great Starting Pitching Gives Dragons Double Header Sweep - Dayton Dragons
• Swing slug Kernels at Veterans Memorial Stadium - Cedar Rapids Kernels
• Home Runs Fuel Cougars Comeback - Kane County Cougars
• Quirky game leaves Whitecaps at a loss - West Michigan Whitecaps
• Early Rattler lead disappears - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
• Chiefs Rally to Tie in Ninth, Then Walk Off in 11th - Peoria Chiefs
• Swing capture second straight - Quad Cities River Bandits
• Maybin, Sborz placed on the DL - West Michigan Whitecaps
• Top Pick Headed to West Michigan - West Michigan Whitecaps
• Garcia receives monthly award - Quad Cities River Bandits
• Mercado promoted - South Bend Silver Hawks

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Other Recent Kane County Cougars Stories

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• Cougars Drop Heartbreaker in the 11th Inning
• Cougars Take Series Opener Against Saltdogs 3-1
• Cougars Steal Series in Extras against Goldeyes
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