Cougars creep closer to playoff berth
The Kane County Cougars netted a must-win Saturday night.
With their 4-3 victory over the Burlington Bees before 11,359 at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark in Geneva, the Cougars moved within 2 games of the West Division’s final playoff spot.
The Bees (65-65, 33-28) took the lead with 3 runs in the top of the third inning against starter Angel Baez. Royce Consigli led off with a walk and scored on a double by Max Muncy as Aaron Shipman reached third base. Shipman crossed the plate on Rashun Dixon’s sacrifice fly, and Bobby Crocker’s single drove home Muncy.
Tim Ferguson reached on an error in the bottom of the third and scored on Justin Trapp’s single as the Cougars (65-66, 31-30) got a run back. In the fifth, Ferguson reached on another errant throw and crossed the plate on a single from Trapp off Tanner Peters (2-5). Trapp and Kenny Swab ended up in scoring position with two outs for Jack Lopez, who singled to drive home both teammmates and put the Cougars ahead.
Reliever and winning pitcher Mike Giovenco (5-2) worked 3 scoreless innings after replacing Baez in the fourth. Kellen Moen wiggled out of an eighth-inning jam, and Cody Fassold earned his first save by stranding two runners in the ninth.
The Cougars host the Bees today at 1 p.m. when right-hander Jason Mitchell (4-6) goes against lefty Chris Lamb (3-2).