Cougars rally for 7-4 win
Comstock Park, Mich. — The Kane County Cougars scored 5 runs in the top of seventh inning to earn a 7-4 victory over the West Michigan Whitecaps on Monday night at Fifth Third Ballpark.
The Cougars (5-18, 35-54) found themselves down by 2 runs entering the seventh against Whitecaps (12-12, 45-49) reliever Angel Nesbitt (3-2). Giuseppe Papaccio reached on an error to begin the inning before Carlos Escobar whacked a double.
Willson Contreras followed by walloping a 2-run triple to tie the game. Gioskar Amaya drove in Contreras with an RBI single to give the Cougars the lead.
Jeimer Candelario knocked home Amaya by bouncing a ball to the second baseman who tossed to second for the second out of the inning. The relay throw to first from shortstop David Gonzalez sailed over first and allowed Albert Almora to score, capping a 5-run seventh inning.
Nathan Dorris (4-3) worked 21⁄3 innings out of the pen for the Cougars and did not allow a run while giving up 3 hits. Michael Hamann (S, 2) tossed 12⁄3 scoreless innings and allowed just 1 hit while striking out three.
The Whitecaps took the lead in the bottom of the first inning but the rains came after that. With the tarp on the field, the Cougars and Whitecaps waited out a one hour and 44 minute rain delay between the first and second innings.
Amaya recorded 3 hits in 5 at-bats. He scored twice and drove in a run. Almora recorded 2 hits. Dan Vogelbach had 3 singles. Carlos Escobar walked twice and smacked a double along with a single. Contreras drove in 2 runs, scored twice and delivered 3 hits in 5 at-bats.
The win snaps a season-high seven-game losing streak for the Cougars, who wrap up their six-game road trip at 1-5.
The Cougars return to Fifth Third Bank Ballpark on Wednesday to take on the Great Lakes Loons at 6:30 p.m. Lefty Brian Smith (2-3) will work for the Cougars and righty Chris Anderson will toss for the Loons.