Cougars balk to winning finish, claim series win in Burlington

BURLINGTON, Iowa - In a 2-1 win in 10 innings, the Kane County Cougars took advantage of 2-run scoring balks issued by the Burlington Bees pitching staff in a most unusual finish. In the top of the 10th with 2 outs, losing southpaw Justin Kelly committed a balk scoring Eudy Ramos in the decisive play giving the Cougars their second straight series win.

The Cougars completed their most successful road trip of the season, finishing with a combined 6-1 record.

The Cougars took a 1-0 lead in the third on a balk from righty Andrew Vinson. After base hits from David Sopilka and Luis Silverio, Vinson committed the run-scoring balk as Sopilka scored from third.

That 1-0 lead was good enough until Burlington tied it in the sixth. After lefty starter Mack Lemieux surrendered a lead-off single to Jonah Todd, Lemieux hit a batter and walked 2, forcing in a run on a free pass to John Schuknecht.

It stayed a tie game thanks to the lofty start from Lemieux. In seven innings, Lemieux gave up only 5 hits on 1 run (1 earned) with 5 strikeouts and 2 walks in the no decision.

The game wouldn't be decided until the game moved into extra innings. In the 10th, Eudy Ramos singled for the Cougars as Manny Jefferson drew a walk. With 2 on and 2 outs, Kelly's balk allowed the Cougars to take their second lead and win the game.

With the win, right-hander Trevor Simms worked 2 scoreless innings. And in to close it out in the ninth, southpaw Anfernee Benitez notched his first save in the Midwest League.