Cougars hang on to beat South Bend again
SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Despite blowing a 3-0 lead, the Kane County Cougars (30-10, 66-42) hung on for the 4-3 win over the South Bend Cubs (19-21, 48-59) Thursday evening at Four Winds Field.
For the second straight day the Cougars started the offense first, as they grabbed a 3-0 lead over the Cubs scoring in the first, second and fourth frames. Ildemaro Vargas brought in the first run with a single to score Colin Bray in the opening inning. Bray then doubled the lead with a sacrifice bunt scoring Joe Munoz. Two frames later Chuck Taylor's sacrifice fly gave the Cougars their largest lead of the series. Even with scoring three runs the Cougars stranded six base runners through the first four innings.
The Cougars' missed chances became more apparent when South Bend tied the game with a three-run fourth. With the bases loaded, Gleyber Torres singled home two runs and sent Jeffrey Baez to third. Baez ended up scoring one a throwing error from Victor Reyes to make it a three-run comeback. That was the only time the Cubs found the scoreboard.
After South Bend's starter Tommy Thorpe left the game, the Cougars scratched across a run on reliever Ryan McNeil (2-3). With two runners on, Marty Herum hit a bouncing ball down the left field line the hit the third base bag and allowed the Cougars to retake the lead.
The Cougars' bullpen provided four solid innings as Nick Baker (9-1) stranded a runner at third with some help from his defense. Jency Solis and Luis Ramirez combined for two scoreless frames before it became Zac Curtis' turn in the ninth.
The lefty closer made things interesting allowing a leadoff double, but struck out Torres for a big first out. Elvin Soto then threw out Baez attempting to swipe third to erase the base runner and provide two outs. Curtis completed his league-leading 25th save by striking out Ian Happ.
The Cougars continue their road trip taking on the West Michigan Whitecaps for a three-game series. Friday's matchup will feature Ethan Elias (9-3, 2.27) on the mound for the Cougars against the Whitecaps' AJ Ladwig (8-8, 3.75).