Martinez Powers Cougars Past Bees

April 12, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Kane County Cougars News Release

Geneva IL - Kane County Cougars infielder Frank Martinez belted his second home run in as many days, drove in four runs and scored twice against to lead the Cougars to an 8-6 win over the Burlington Bees on Wednesday afternoon in front of 6,293 fans at Elfstrom Stadium. The Cougars bullpen sparkled again, as Ron Madej and John Herrera pitched four innings and allowed one unearned run.

The Bees scored twice in the third against starter Vince Mazzaro, but Kane County had an answer in their half. Three singles against Bees starter Matt Kniginyzky loaded the bases, and Mike Massaro's groundout scored Wilber Perez to cut it to 2-1. Martinez singled home two teammates for a 3-2 advantage before Jeff Bieker's run-scoring hit made it 4-2.

Mazzaro gave up one run in the fourth and two in the fifth, leaving after five innings and allowing five runs on eight hits, walking one and striking out two. The Cougars took him off the hook for the loss in the bottom of the fifth when Massaro scored on a wild pitch. Then Martinez cracked his two-run homer in the seventh against reliever Gilbert De La Vara for a lead the Cougars never lost. Each team scored once in the eighth for the 8-6 final.

Madej (1-0) got his first professional win, De La Vara (0-1) suffered the loss and Herrera grabbed his first pro save.

The Cougars (4-3) end their season-opening homestand and now head to Clinton for a game Thursday night at 6 CDT against the LumberKings. Jeff Gray (0-1) takes the mound in the opener of the three-game set.

Midwest League Stories from April 12, 2006

• Renz blasts way out of slump as Kernels drop Chiefs - Cedar Rapids Kernels
• Lansing jumps out early, survives Dragons comeback for win - Dayton Dragons
• Swing rally for comeback victory - Quad Cities River Bandits
• Rattlers Take Series, Two Games to One - Beloit Sky Carp
• Lugnuts take series from Dragons - Lansing Lugnuts
• Lugnuts take series from Dragons - Lansing Lugnuts
• Kernels Take Series With 7-3 Win - Peoria Chiefs
• Bees Drop Finale at Kane County - Burlington Bees
• Thomas tames Beloit - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
• Whitecaps survive South Bend rally to take two-of-three in series - West Michigan Whitecaps
• Devil Rays End Up All Wet - Southwest Michigan Devil Rays
• Martinez Powers Cougars Past Bees - Kane County Cougars
• Fergie Jenkins to Appear at O'Brien Field Thursday - Peoria Chiefs
• Dragons Bullpen Gets a pair of New Faces - Dayton Dragons
• Rodgers Leads Swing Past LumberKings - Clinton LumberKings
• Dragons Defeat Lugnuts - Lansing Lugnuts
• Snappers Win in Extra Innings on Walk Off Shot by Lis - Beloit Sky Carp
• Bees Even Series with Cougars - Burlington Bees

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