Big sixth inning propels Cougars to win

Securing 5 runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, the Kane County Cougars reached their third consecutive victory as they toppled the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers with a 6-2 final on Thursday night at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark.

Wisconsin (44-60, 15-24) grabbed the lead by picking up a run in the top of the second. Parker Berberet cracked a double into left-center field to start the top of the second against Tayler Scott. Berberet scored the first run of the contest on a base hit by Max Walla.

Wisconsin added a run in the top of the third as Lance Roenicke was hit by a pitch and later scored on a wild pitch. Oliver Zapata ripped a solo homer to begin the bottom of the third, putting the Cougars (43-61, 13-25) on the board and pulling them within one.

Jorge Lopez (5-7) kept the Timber Rattlers on top while only giving up one hit through the first five frames. Lopez let it get away in the bottom of the sixth as Jose Dore cracked a lead-off homer to even the score at 2-2. Gioskar Amaya followed with a single and came home on a base hit by Albert Almora to put the Cougars on top.

Almora streaked home from first base on a double to the left field corner off the bat of Dan Vogelbach. After Jeimer Candelario’s single, Rock Shoulders doubled home a pair to top off a five-run rally and give the Cougars a 6-2 cushion. Andrew McKirahan (1-0) worked two scoreles innings out of the Cougars’ bullpen in relief of Scott. Armando Rivero recorded the final six outs without any issues.