Cougars blank LumberKings, 1-0, win series
Behind another seven-inning start from right-hander Max Duval (1-3), the Kane County Cougars (14-24, 47-61) beat the Clinton LumberKings (64-44, 25-13) 1-0 at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark on Wednesday. The Cougars won the four-game series and pitched their Midwest League leading 16th shutout of 2016.
In another tight ballgame, this pitchers' fight led to minimal opportunities for scoring chances. But in the fourth inning, the Cougars scored first against lefty Luiz Gohara (1-3). The inning began with back-to-back singles from Trevor Mitsui and Stryker Trahan. Both moved to scoring position on a sacrifice bunt from Joey Armstrong, as Fernery Ozuna collected the RBI on a groundout to shortstop. It was Ozuna's third RBI in the last two games.
Protecting a 1-0 lead through his seven-inning start, Duval was at his best. Duval carved up the LumberKings with 5 strikeouts and no walks. He scattered 7 hits that were all singles.
Reliever Jose Martinez (0-0) in the eighth inning, but Martinez only faced one batter, walking Luis Liberato as Mike Benjamin made the call to the bullpen for left-hander Kirby Bellow (1-0). As the LumberKings loaded with one out, Bellow popped out Conner Hale and struck out pinch-hitter Ricky Eusebio.
In the ninth, Julio Perez allowed a leadoff base hit to Chris Mariscal, but retired the next three batters, and picked up his third save.
The Cougars finished the homestand 3-4 with a seven-game road trip in Wisconsin on tap.
Wednesday, the Cougars have a 7 p.m. first pitch against the Beloit Snappers from Pohlman Field. Right-hander Jose Almonte (0-3) is on the mound for the Cougars. Pregame radio coverage begins at 6:45 p.m. on 1280 WBIG-AM and kccougars.com