Kane County Cougars shut out Whitecaps, even series

For the 10th time this season, the Kane County Cougars (31-11, 67-43) shut out their opponent with a 5-0 win over the West Michigan Whitecaps (23-18, 56-54).

Jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the third inning, the Cougars used run-scoring hits from Cody Regis and Colin Bray to take their first advantage of the series with a 2-0 lead. Both runs were scored unearned to West Michigan's starter Jeff Thompson (4-10).

Brad Keller (7-8) only allowed 1 hit in the contest as he left in the bottom of the sixth inning with 2 runners on. Keller's outing was just the start of a well-pitched ballgame that five Cougars hurlers joined in on. Jency Solis stranded the 2 runners that Keller left on and eventually stranded another pair in the seventh.

The Cougars grabbed some more insurance in the final two innings. Marty Herum's RBI single made it a 3-0 lead in the eighth. In the ninth, Chuck Taylor legged out an RBI triple before Ildemaro Vargas added a single to plate Taylor for the 5-0 lead.

After Luis Ramirez struck out the side in the eighth, Ryan Burr took the mound without a save situation in the ninth. Three singles by the Whitecaps' offense loaded the bases and forced Mark Grudzielanek to bring in closer Zac Curtis who picked up his 26th save of the year by striking out Garrett Mattlage to end the game.