Cougars' offense comes up short

Posted April 22, 2008 11:00 pm

Special to the Daily Herald

MIDLAND, Mich. -- The Kane County Cougars had plenty of chances to score Tuesday night against the Great Lakes Loons, but they never managed to cross the plate, losing 1-0 while stranding a season-high 14 runners in front of 2,156 at Dow Diamond.

Starter Travis Banwart gave up an unearned run and had a quality start but was saddled with a hard-luck loss.

The game's only run came against Banwart (2-1) in the third, when Pedro Baez reached on an error by Christian Vitters and scored on another error following a bunt single, giving the Loons the 1-0 lead.

Banwart yielded just 4 hits --- all singles -- and walked none while striking out six in the defeat. Leonardo Espinal posted a scoreless eighth inning.

The Cougars loaded the bases against closer Great Lakes closer Miguel Ramirez before a double play ended the night for the visitors.

Matt Smith and Michael Richard each reached safely three times, and Todd Johnson and Vitters each had 2 hits. Bobby Blevins (2-1) earned the win, and Ramirez posted his sixth save for the Loons.

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