Cougars top Clinton LumberKings

Facing their third left-handed starting pitcher in their last five games, the Kane County Cougars (17-3, 53-35) took the series opening game 6-4 over the Clinton LumberKings (5-15, 31-58) at Ashford University Field Wednesday evening.

Despite winning for the 22nd time in their last 25 games, the Cougars did not grab a lead until the top of the fifth inning. Batting around against Clinton's starter Pat Peterson (4-5), Henry Castillo led off the frame with a double and later scored on a throwing error from Peterson. Ildemaro Vargas tied up the game with a run-scoring single, before Cody Regis drove home two for a 4-2 Cougar lead.

Chris Oliver (2-0) coughed up a couple runs in the opening frame, but did not allow the LumberKings to see the scoreboard again until the sixth. The Cougar starter finished the day with five and two-third innings of three-run baseball.

Both teams' offenses grabbed another run in the sixth and seventh innings, but it was the Cougars adding to their lead and the LumberKings settling for one run. After Victor Reyes hit a sacrifice fly to score Castillo in the sixth, Cougar reliever Myles Smith stranded two Clinton runners after they grabbed one. In the sixth inning, Regis drove in his third RBI with a double before the LumberKings grabbed one run after having the bases loaded with nobody out.

The final two innings by the Cougars' bullpen were perfect frames from Jency Solis and Luis Ramirez for his fifth save of the year.

The Cougars and LumberKings continue this series on Thursday. Brad Keller (4-8, 2.68) will start for the Cougars against Clinton's right-hander Lukas Schiraldi (4-6, 4.67). First pitch from Ashford University Field is at 6:30 p.m.