Kane County Cougars win in a pinch over Wisconsin

Two pinch hitters helped the Kane County Cougars (34-32) finish a three-game sweep over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers with a 2-1 walk-off victory Thursday night at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark. Both teams' starting pitchers cruised through the first eight innings, but the limited offense sent the game into extras.

Tied at 1-1 in the 11th inning, pinch hitter Cody Regis hit a leadoff single and moved to second base on a sacrifice bunt from Victor Reyes. An intentional walk and flyout later, pinch hitter Michael Perez provided the game-winning hit to left center field off Gian Rizzo (0-1).

Wei-Chieh Huang handcuffed the Wisconsin offense for 7 inningsm facing just one over the minimum after a two-out hit in the first. The Taiwanese right-hander retired a string of 20 straight Timber Rattlers at one point.

The streak ended on Jose Pena's one-out single in the eighth.

A couple of Huang's mistakes actually helped Pena advance. Wisconsin's left fielder moved to second on a balk from Huang and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Greg McCall drove in the tying run with a sacrifice fly. Huang tied a season high with 8 strikeouts and did not walk a batter.

The Cougars scored their only run off Timber Rattlers starter and Wisconsin native Zach Hirsch in sixth inning. Reyes' leadoff double eventually scored on Ryan Gebhardt's RBI groundout for a 1-0 advantage. Hirsch finished the game matching Huang's 8 innings of 1-run ball.

Both teams' bullpens escaped jams. Zac Curtis stranded a baserunner in the ninth. Cody Geyer faced the minimum in the 10th inning despite a leadoff walk. And Nick Baker (4-1) kept the game tied in the 11th with a runner stranded at third.

The Cougars continue their homestand by welcoming in the Peoria Chiefs for the first time this season. Touki Toussaint (1-2, 4.36) will begin the series against Peoria's Daniel Poncedeleon (6-0, 2.08). First pitch from Fifth Third Bank Ballpark is 6:30 p.m.