Cougars notch 1-0 win over Kernels
CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - Winning 1-0 for the fourth time this season, the Kane County Cougars (5-11, 38-48) shook off their dismal road history with a well-pitched and defended win over the Cedar Rapids Kernels (8-8, 44-41) from Perfect Game Field in Iowa.
The Cougars notched their 14th shutout of the season and their fourth against the Kernels. The effort was a combination of great pitching and Colin Bray's dynamic night. Bray posted the go-ahead solo home run in the third inning and made a spectacular catch to prevent a leadoff hit in the bottom of the ninth. Bray launched a home for the second straight game in the top of the third inning to give the Cougars a 1-0 lead.
Making his first start since June 19th, right-hander Carlos Hernandez dealt an efficient but short start for the Cougars. On a limited pitch count, Hernandez recorded 3 shutout innings with 2 hits surrendered on 3 strikeouts and a walk.
Right-hander Austin Mason (2-0) came in to pitch the fourth inning. Inheriting a man on base, Mason forced a fly out and an inning-ending double play. Mason hung on for another scoreless inning of work, marking another effective outing since his return from short-season Hillsboro. After Mason, Jose Martinez (0-0) struck out four Kernels in a pair of scoreless innings.
Keegan Long finished off the game for the winning Cougars. Notching a two-inning save, the Diamondbacks Pitcher of the Month for June got a key defensive play to start the ninth inning. Sean Miller's deep fly ball to center field was hauled in by Bray. Zander Wiel then hit an infield single but Long forced Nelson Molina to ground out to end the game.
Mason picked up the victory, left-hander Lachlan Wells (1-1) posted five innings on just one run surrendered in a loss, and Long racked up the save, his fifth.
Saturday, the Cougars continue their four-game set with the Kernels. On the mound for the Cougars, right-hander Sam McWilliams (0-1, 2.79 ERA) takes on Cedar Rapids right-hander Ivan Rodriguez (1-10, 6.55 ERA). First pitch is slated for 6:35 p.m. with a pregame show of 6:20 p.m. on AM 1280 WBIG and kccougars.com. ###