Cougars split series with LumberKings

The Kane County Cougars (41-44, 6-9) won their second straight game against the Clinton LumberKings (48-36, 9-5), 4-1, on Thursday night at Ashford University Field.

The Cougars scored three first inning runs to jump in front of Clinton. Gabriel Maciel singled to start the rally. Jazz Chisholm followed with a single. The first run scored with Yoel Yanqui at the plate when a pick-off throw led to an error on Clinton shortstop Johnny Adams, scoring Maciel and moving Chisholm to third. The next run scored with Yanqui at the plate on an error by catcher Juan Camacho. Ryan Grtojohn made it 3-0 with an RBI ground out.

Brain Shaffer (4-5) made the 3-0 lead stand up during his outing. Shaffer tossed his fourth straight quality start with six shutout innings of two-hit ball, striking out nine and walking one.

The first inning the LumberKings faced a Cougar reliever led to Clinton's first run. With Cole Bartlett on the hill in the bottom of the seventh, Dimas Ojeda collected an RBI double to cut the Cougar lead to 3-1. Bartlett finished his night with two innings of one-run baseball, striking out two and walking one.

The Cougars received an insurance run in the eighth on Ernie De La Trinidad's RBI single. In the ninth, Rafael Pujols walked the bases loaded, bringing the potential winning run to the plate for Clinton, but got Joseph Rosa to fly out to left field to end the threat and the game. Pujols earned his first save.

Scott Boches (2-2) took the loss after allowing three unearned runs in the first inning. Boches lasted five innings, struck out five and walked none.

The Cougars return home for a four-game series with the Cedar Rapids Kernels beginning Friday night. Cole Stapler takes the mound for the Cougars (1-2, 3.38). First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.