Cougars clip Bandits

DAVENPORT, Iowa-- For the second time in as many nights, the Kane County Cougars scored twice in the first inning and went on to beat the host Quad Cities River Bandits 4-1.

The Cougars' Matt Ray tripled to score Shane Keough, who had walked to open the game. Ray scored when Corey Brown doubled.

The Bandits put the tying runs into scoring position in the sixth, but reliever Justin Friend got a groundout to end the threat.

The Cougars increased their lead to 3-0 in the seventh when Matt Smith tripled and scored on a passed ball.

The Cougars' Jamie Richmond earned his third win of the year, pitching 5¿ innings. In one stretch, he retired 11 of 13 batters.

Friend finished the contest and recorded his third save.