Cougars can't maintain lead against Bees

BURLINGTON, Iowa - After another quality start from Bo Takahashi (1-0), the Cougars' (19-17) bullpen could not maintain a late lead as the Bees (15-21) salvaged a split in the four-game set. The Cougars lost 4-3.

Three runs in the eighth inning from the Bees against Junior Garcia saw Burlington post a comeback as the Cougars lost just their second game of the season after holding a lead after seven innings of play.

Posting his team-leading fourth 3-hit game of the season, Galli Cribbs lead the Cougars offensively, too, drawing a walk to reach base four times.

The Cougars threatened instantly in the first inning with a 1-out triple from Cribbs, but could not plate a run. The offense came through in the third frame as Quinnton Mack roped a double and scored on a Jason Morozowski RBI base hit.

Cougars' starter Takahashi did not yield a hit until the fourth inning when Brendon Sanger started out with a 2-base hit. For yet another time in the series, a balk call was made, allowing Sanger to advance to third. He scored on a Jared Foster sacrifice fly tying the game, 1-1.

It stayed locked at that tally until the seventh inning when Trevor Mitsui hit a 2-run double. The frame began with hits from Mack and Cribbs setting the table for the University of Washington product.

Mitsui also had a 2-run double in the game one win of a double-header on Saturday. He now has 25 RBI on the season to lead the team, top five in the Midwest League.

A 3-run eighth inning by Burlington shocked the Cougars, as the Bees' Adam Hofacket (1-1) shut down the Cougars in the final two innings to solidify a win. Garica (2-2) took the loss.