Cougars walk 7, lose in 11
APPLETON, Wis. - The Kane County Cougars (10-2, 46-34) walked seven batters in Monday's 5-4, 11-inning loss to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (5-7, 28-54) as the free passes paid a big dividend. The Cougars' 10-game winning streak was snapped at Fox Cities Stadium.
The Timber Rattlers scored four unanswered runs toward the end of the game, as they cashed in on walks in the sixth, eighth and 11th innings.
Luis Ramirez (1-1) caused a big threat by loading the bases in the 11th inning with two walks and an infield single. Tucker Neuhaus' slow rolling infield single was the final play of the game as Alan Sharkey slid into home for the game-winning run.
Three innings prior it was Alan Sharkey's two-run shot that tied the ballgame. Elvis Rubio came along on the round tripper after reaching on a one-out base on balls.
Despite chances in the first three frames, the Cougars didn't take advantage of a run until the third inning. Victor Reyes led off with a double and scored two batters later on Chuck Taylor's two-bagger for a 1-0 Cougar lead.
The offense missed out on a few more opportunities which allowed Wisconsin to tie up the game with one swing of the bat. Sthervin Matos launched a solo shot over the center field wall to bring the Timber Rattlers even.
The Timber Rattlers gave the lead right back when Cody Regis, who reached on a hit by pitch, scored on an error by Wisconsin's shortstop Blake Allemand off the bat of Joe Munoz. With runners at the corners, Munoz took off on a throw in the dirt. On the throw towards second base, Michael Perez stole home for a 3-1 lead. Allemand then committed another error off of Henry Castillo's ground ball that scored Munoz to put the Cougars ahead by three runs.
After Wisconsin helped the Cougars take the lead in the sixth inning, the visiting team returned the favor to the Timber Rattlers. Cody Geyer took the mound in the sixth inning and put a base runner on with a one-out walk to major league rehabbing Khris Davis before a 28 minute rain delay. After the tarp was pulled off, Geyer remained on the mound but walked the next three batters to force in a run and bring the Timber Rattlers within two. Jency Solis put out the threat with a fielder's choice and a strikeout to strand the bases loaded.
Luke Curtis (5-1) earned the win with a perfect 11th inning.
The Cougars continue finish up the short road trip on Tuesday against the Timber Rattlers. Wei-Chieh Huang (3-1, 1.51) will start for the Cougars against Wisconsin's Devin Williams (2-4, 2.92).