Cougars bested by Bees' strong offense

BURLINGTON, Iowa - In game one of a four-game series, the Kane County Cougars dropped their second straight game in a 5-1 loss at the hands of the Burlington Bees. The Bees' 4-run third inning was the cushion they needed in a thorough win as the Cougars mustered only 6 hits on the evening.

On the board first, the home Bees went up 4-0 in the bottom of the third. With right-hander Curtis Taylor (0-4) on the bump for the Cougars, Burlington's Sam McDonnell homered for the first time this season in solo fashion. The Bees added more runs after loading the bases. A bases clearing double from Brennan Morgan scored a trio as Taylor allowed 3 hits in the big inning.

With the offensive momentum, the Bees tacked on another tally with a run in the fifth. After Jack Kruger reached on a fielding error at third base, Brennon Lund followed with a run-scoring double to put Burlington up by a 5-0 score.

In the sixth, the Cougars responded with an unusual run scored. On a double off the wall in center field, Ozuna came home on a throwing error by shortstop Roberto Baldoquin trying to nab Ozuna at third base. It was one of 2 doubles for Ozuna on the evening.

But for the rest of the contest the Cougars were subdued by Burlington's winning right-hander, Erik Manoah (1-2). Manoah gave up no earned runs through 5 innings on 4 strikeouts and 1 walk.

On the other side, it was another tough day for Taylor who tossed 5 innings on 6 hits, 5 runs (all earned), and 4 strikeouts with as many walks in the losing effort.