Cougars cool off LumberKings

CLINTON, Iowa — After giving up a combined 23 runs the previous two games, the Kane County Cougars captured a 6-2 victory over the Clinton LumberKings at Ashford University Field on Tuesday.

Oliver Zapata gave the Cougars (15-28, 45-64) the lead in the third with a 2-run homer off starter and loser Charles Kaalekahi (5-4) of the LumberKings (21-23, 54-59). Marco Hernadez smacked an RBI single that gave the Cougars a 3-1 lead.

The Cougars’ Gioskar Amaya recorded an RBI double in the sixth. In the ninth, Reggie Golden launched a solo home run and Zapata drove in his third run of the game with a single.

Starter and winning pitcher Tayler Scott (5-6) allowed a run in the first inning on a sacrifice fly by Jamodrick McGruder before retiring six in a row. Scott ran into some trouble in the next 3 innings, but he stranded a pair in the third inning. In the fourth, Tim Lopes got an RBI on an infield single, but Scott stranded the potential tying run at third base. In the fifth, Scott left two more runners on base. The righty worked 5 innings, giving up 6 hits and 3 walks without a strikeout.

Cougars reliever Andrew McKirihan tossed 2 perfect innings. Al Yevoli struck out one in a scoreless eighth and Michael Hamann turned in a perfect ninth inning.

The Cougars return home to Fifth Third Bank Ballpark today to host the Burlington Bees at 6:30 p.m. in the opener of a three-game series. Lefty Michael Heesch starts for the Cougars against Reid Scoggins.