Kane County Cougars drop 4th straight

Despite a dramatic ninth inning, the Kane County Cougars (22-25) dropped their fourth consecutive game as they lost the home stand opener to the Beloit Snappers (24-23) by a score of 3-2 Friday night at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark.

After Evan Manarino (5-0) tossed eight shutout innings against the Cougars, reliever Cody Kurz took the mound with the Snappers leading 3-0. With one out, the Cougars brought the tying run to the plate after Jason Morozowski walked and Galli Cribbs reached on an infield single. After Kurz struck out Zach Nehrir, Trevor Mitsui looped a double to right field to bring home the team's first two runs and put the tying run in scoring position. Kurz finished off his sixth save of the season striking out Grant Heyman to end the ballgame.

Tyler Mark (0-4) suffered the loss after allowing 3 runs in his 5 innings of work. Junior Garcia tossed 4 scoreless frames with 5 strikeouts keeping the game close at a three-run deficit after the fifth inning.

After 3 innings of zeros on the scoreboard for Cougars' starting pitcher, Mark, the right-hander allowed a home run to Chris Iriart in the fourth inning to deep left field providing the Snappers with a 2-0 lead.

Iriart's home run was his ninth of the season crowning him as the current leader in the Midwest League.

Beloit tacked on another run in the fifth. After Mark issued a walk, Trent Gilbert hit a double, and Iriart was intentionally walked to load the bases. Struggling with location, Mark forced in a run when he walked Edwin Diaz on four pitches. Beloit went up 3-0 in the fifth inning.

As rain washed through Geneva, the game was delayed for over 30 minutes after the completion of the sixth inning.