Late Cougars' Rally Comes Up Short
Published on May 20, 2023 under American Association (AA)
Kane County Cougars News Release
GENEVA, Ill. - In another low-scoring ballgame, the Kane County Cougars fell to the Sioux City Explorers 3-2 in extra innings in front of over 8,000 fans on Saturday night at Northwestern Medicine Field.
For most of the ballgame, both starting pitchers were in control. Westin Muir tossed five scoreless innings for the Cougars (2-6), while striking out three hitters and allowing just four hits. Sioux City (7-1) starter Austin Drury worked through 5.2 scoreless frames while limiting the Cougars to just three hits.
The game remained a scoreless tie until the top of the ninth, when Sioux City took the lead. Facing Cougars' reliever Keith Rogalla, Daniel Perez belted a solo shot over the right field wall to put the Explorers up 1-0.
Down to their last out in the bottom of the ninth, the Cougars needed a big hit. In his 2023 debut, Josh Allen delivered. The Cougars second baseman crushed a solo homer off Sioux City reliever Sean Rackoski (3-0) to tie the game. It was the first hit and run allowed by Rackoski this season.
In the top of the 10th, Logan Nissen (0-1) entered the game for the Cougars with the placed runner at second. Jake Sanford led off the inning and singled into center field to score Chase Harris and make it 2-1. A throwing error by Jimmy Kerrigan allowed Sanford to reach second on the play. Then, Wilfredo Gimenez singled into right-center field to score Sanford and put the Explorers ahead 3-1.
In the bottom of the 10th, the Cougars got a rally going with two outs. After Daniel Wasinger reached third on a Galli Cribbs groundout, Armond Upshaw came to the plate. Upshaw hit a ground ball to short, but his speed forced a throwing error from Miguel Sierra that allowed Wasinger to score and pull the Cougars within a run. The Kane County rally would end there though as Cesar Trejo grounded out to end the game in a 3-2 final.
The Cougars conclude the series with Sioux City on Sunday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. Right-hander Jared Wetherbee (0-0, 2.46) will take the hill for Sioux City, while lefty Luke Westphal (0-0, 9.00) gets the ball for Kane County. For tickets and more information call 630-232-8811 or visit kccougars.com/tickets.
American Association Stories from May 20, 2023
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- Dogs Win Fourth Straight Behind Dominant Pitching - Chicago Dogs
- Late Cougars' Rally Comes Up Short - Kane County Cougars
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- Birds Fall to Monarchs in Battle of Bullpens - Sioux Falls Canaries
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