Perez strong again in Cougars’ win

Leondy Perez became the first Kane County pitcher to win 4 consecutive starts this season as he led the visiting Cougars past the Cedar Rapids Kernels 3-2 on Sunday at Veterans Memorial Stadium.The Cougars will try to sweep the series Monday night. The victory moved them back into a first-place tie with Quad Cities and kept their lead over Clinton for the top second-half playoff spot in the Western Division at 3 with 21 games left.The Cougars never trailed Sunday. Angel Franco drove home Orlando Calixte with a third-inning RBI single off Seth Fowler (1-3), and Brett Eibner drilled a 2-run homer in the sixth to make it 3-0.That was enough support for Perez (6-11), who gave up his only runs in the sixth on a 2-run homer to Ricky Alvarez. Those were the first earned runs in 25#8531; innings against Perez. He went 6 innings and allowed 5 hits, while walking three and striking out three.Cole White gave up a leadoff triple in the seventh but retired the next three batters, and Chase Boruff got out of jam in the eighth with the tying run in scoring position.Then Boruff polished off the Kernels with a 1-2-3 ninth to earn his second straight save and fifth overall.