MWL1 Kane County Cougars

Kane County Cougars Homestand Preview: July 1-3

June 30, 2014 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Kane County Cougars News Release


GENEVA, Ill. - The Kane County Cougars, Class-A farm team of the Chicago Cubs, open a homestand on Tuesday and will welcome the Peoria Chiefs (St. Louis Cardinals affiliate). Homestand highlights include a pair of post-game patriotic fireworks shows, Military Appreciation Night on July 2 and a post-game performance art charity painting that evening by Artbeat Live's Elliott From. Tickets are available for each game on the upcoming homestand by calling (630) 232-8811 or visiting kccougars.com.

Tuesday 7/1 Peoria Chiefs (St. Louis Cardinals farm team) 6:30 p.m. (gates open at 5:30 p.m.) WBIG 1280 AM (6:15 p.m.)

- Pre-game Youth Baseball/Softball parade

- National Anthem - St. Paul's (Aurora)

- Fans can run the bases after the game

Wednesday 7/2 Peoria Chiefs 6:30 p.m. (gates open at 5:30 p.m.) WBIG 1280 AM (6:15 p.m.)

- Military Appreciation Night

- Patriotic T-Shirts for the first 1,500 adults age 21 and older, courtesy of Miller Lite

- Patriotic Foam Claws for the first 1,500 children age 14 and under, courtesy of Fifth Third Bank

- Color Guard - AMVETS of St. Charles

- Pre-game check presentation - Illinois AMVETS

- National Anthem - Eisenhower Jr. High Summer Band (Darien)

- Take Me Out to the Ballgame - led by The Davidson Group

- Post-game performance art painting by Artbeat Live's Elliott From

- Post-game fireworks show (Patriotic theme)

- Fans can run the bases after the game

Thursday 7/3 Peoria Chiefs 6:30 p.m. (gates open at 5 p.m.) WBIG 1280 AM (6:15 p.m.)

- Discount gas coupons for the first 1,500 adults, courtesy of The Pride Stores

- One lucky fan will win a $50 gas card per inning, courtesy of The Pride Stores

- National Anthem - Chicago Choral Artists

- Pepsi All-You-Can-Eat Rooftop Picnic - reservations required

- Post-game fireworks show (Patriotic theme)

- Fans can run the bases after the game

Homestand Notes

The three-game homestand kicks off on Tuesday - all three games feature 6:30 pm start times. Both active and retired military can receive complimentary tickets for Wednesday's Military Appreciation Night. The Cougars will be welcoming the Illinois AMVETS organization that evening for a pre-game check presentation. Illinois AMVETS is the recipient of the Cougars' monthly in-game charitable events for the month of June. The Illinois AMVETS Service Foundation has helped preserve the freedoms secured by America's armed forces, providing support for veterans and active military through a variety of services since 1945. As part of Wednesday's festivities, several military vehicles from Cantigny will be on display and available for fans to see. The Cougars will also be welcoming several military personnel for ceremonial first pitches and all active and retired military can call the Cougars at 630-232-8811 for complimentary tickets. Also on Wednesday, there will be a post-game performance art display on the field by Artbeat Live. World renowned artist Elliott From brings more than 20 years of experience in oil and acrylic painting into a live performance setting. Elliott's painting will be auctioned off for charity as well, with a portion of proceeds benefitting the Wounded Warrior Project. Both Wednesday and Thursday evening's games include post-game patriotic fireworks shows. The first 1,500 adults 21 and older attending Wednesday's game will receive a patriotic t-shirt courtesy of Miller Lite. Also that evening, the first 1,500 children age 14 and under receive a foam claw courtesy of Fifth Third Bank. As part of Thursday's game, The Pride Stores are offering a discounted gas card for the first 1,500 adults and there will be a $50 gas card awarded to a lucky fan during each inning.

Team Notes

The Cougars haven't missed a beat since the season's second half began on June 19. Kane County leads the Midwest League with a second half record of 8-2 and an overall record of 53-27. Among all classification levels in Minor League Baseball the Cougars are tied with Double-A Huntsville for the 2nd-most wins in Minor League Baseball. Double-A Portland leads the circuit with 54 wins. The Cougars have already clinched the first half Western Division championship and open a best-of-three opening round series against the Western Division 2nd half wild card winner on September 3. Outfielder/catcher Kyle Schwarber is batting .412 with 4 home runs and 9 RBI in 10 games since joining the Cougars on June 19. Catcher Cael Brockmeyer hit for the cycle on Sunday against Beloit, becoming the first Cougar to accomplish the feat since Tommy Everidge in 2005. Pitcher Tyler Skulina is 7th in the league with a 2.63 ERA while fellow starter Paul Blackburn is 10th with a 2.97 ERA. Fellow starter Daury Torrez is tied for the league lead with 8 wins. The Cougars' team ERA of 3.02 ERA is on pace to set a franchise record which was set by the '03 Cougars (3.22 ERA). Outfielder Yasiel Balaguert leads the club with 43 RBI while outfielder Jacob Hannemann has a team-high 28 stolen bases.

Cubs catcher John Baker ('03 Cougar) went 3-for-3 with 4 RBI on June 27. Pitcher Armando Rivero ('13) was recently promoted to Triple-A Iowa and has made 4 scoreless appearances out of the I-Cubs' bullpen. At Double-A Tennessee, pitcher Lendy Castillo ('13) has a 2.95 ERA in 18 appearances. At Class-A Advanced Daytona, outfielder Albert Almora ('13) is batting .259 with 3 home runs and 37 RBI. Infielder Dan Vogelbach ('13) is batting .279 with 8 home runs and infielder Gioskar Amaya ('13) is batting .290. Pitcher Andrew McKirahan has a 0.99 ERA in 23 relief appearances. At Short-A Boise, infielder Danny Canela ('14) is batting .304.

Detroit infielder Miguel Cabrera ('01) is batting .311 with 13 home runs and 64 RBI. Baltimore outfielder Nelson Cruz ('03) has 25 home runs and is batting .284. Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Josh Beckett ('00) has a 2.11 ERA in 15 starts. San Francisco pitcher Santiago Casilla ('03-'04) has a 1.15 ERA in 27 appearances. Oakland pitcher Sean Doolittle ('07) has a 2.08 ERA with 11 saves in 37 relief appearances. San Diego pitcher Tyson Ross ('08) is 6-8 with a 3.18 ERA while Padres closer Huston Street ('04) has 21 saves. Kansas City pitcher Yordano Ventura ('11) has a 3.26 ERA in 15 starts.

Infielder Cheslor Cuthbert ('11) is batting .276 with 8 home runs and 36 RBI at Double-A Northwest Arkansas (Kansas City). Infielder Gregorio Petit ('05) is batting .301 with 9 home runs and 38 RBI at Triple-A Oklahoma City (Houston). Pitcher Travis Banwart ('07-'08) is 5-2 with a 3.12 ERA at Triple-A Columbus (Cleveland). Pitcher Santiago Garrido ('12) is 1-2 with a 2.94 ERA in 27 appearances at Double-A Montgomery (Tampa Bay). (Statistics through 6/29)

Where's Ozzie? Ozzie T. Cougar is scheduled to make upcoming appearances in the community at the following locations:

Friday, July 4 from 12-2 pm - Warrenville Friends of the 4th

Check out the Kane County Cougars Statistics



Midwest League Stories from June 30, 2014


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