Cougars’ offense keys 9-5 win
Scoring six times in the third inning provided Aaron Brooks and the Kane County Cougars with enough offense as they rolled to a 9-5 victory over the West Michigan Whitecaps on Monday night at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark.
Tim Ferguson kicked off the third-inning rally with his third home run of the season by lining a ball off the foul pole down the left-field line.
Kenny Swab followed with a double and scored the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly from Alex Llanos. Julio Aparicio singled home a run in front of a 2-run double from Michael Antonio. Ferguson finished the rally with an RBI single.
In the fourth, the Cougars (48-46, 14-10) continued to pour on the runs as Yowill Espinal and Alex Llanos singled to set up Danny Mateo with one out.
Mateo singled to center and the ball skipped by center fielder Chad Wright allowing Espinal, Llanos and Mateo to all score, giving the home team a 9-1 lead.
West Michigan scored 2 runs in the sixth off starter Aaron Brooks (7-9), who lasted 6 innings. Cody Fassold allowed 2 more runs in the seventh before Malcom Culver and Mike Giovenco combined for the final seven outs.
Marcelo Carreno (4-7) started for the Whitecaps and didn’t give up a hit until the third inning, but he didn’t last past the third inning.