Kane County Cougars shut out 2-0 by Loons

MIDLAND, MI. - Shut out for the ninth time this season, the Kane County Cougars (9-19, 42-55) lost to the host Great Lakes Loons (10-16, 39-57) 2-0.

The Cougars have now lost seven games in a row at Dow Diamond, clinching a series loss to the Loons who have the second worst record in the Midwest League.

Keeping the Loons at bay throughout, Sam McWilliams posted 5 strong innings on just 2 runs. It was his seventh game allowing just 2 earned runs or less.

But McWilliams has been haunted by one bad inning, and this time it was the fourth as the Loons posted 2 go-ahead runs and never looked back. Luke Raley singled on a ball to right scoring Saige Jenco and then Raley scored on a Brendon Davis sacrifice fly to make it 2-0 Loons.

Pitted against another stingy Loons starter, the Cougars found it tough going against right-hander Imani Abdullah (2-3). In 5 scoreless innings Abdullah struck out 4 Cougars.

The Cougars had their chances, but they left eight on the basepaths. The Cougars were just 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position.

In the ninth inning, Joey Armstrong and Sergio Alcantara got base hits and moved to second and third on a wild pitch. But Luis Basabe struck out swinging to leave the game tying runs on base.

Abdullah picked up the win, McWilliams suffered his first loss since June 29, and Ivan Vieitez hung on for his third save. The Cougars suit up in the series finale against the Loons on Friday at 6:05 p.m.