Kane County Cougars split doubleheader

The Kane County Cougars and Wisconsin Timber Rattlers each tossed a shutout on Tuesday, splitting a doubleheader and a four-game series at Elfstrom Stadium in Geneva.

The Cougars took the opener 1-0 and fell 5-0 in Game 2. The Cougars, who have a 3-game lead for the top playoff spot in the Western Division with 26 games left, are 9-6 against the Rattlers this season.

In Game 1, Leondy Perez (5-11) picked up his third straight win and quality start. In that span, he has not allowed an earned run in 19⅔ innings. On Tuesday he pitched 6 innings of 4-hit ball with 2 strikeouts for the victory.

Nick Rogers worked out of a first-and-third jam with one out in the seventh to notch his fifth save.

Brett Eibner went 2-for-3 with 2 doubles, including a run-scoring shot in the first off Brooks Hall (5-4) that drove in the only run.

In the nightcap, the Cougars managed just 1 hit — Jake Kuebler's infield single in the second inning — against Brian Garman (3-2) and Dan Britt. Geulin Beltre and Orlando Calixte walked, but the final 16 Cougars were retired in order.

Santiago Garrido (1-4) suffered the loss. He gave up 2 first-inning runs and lasted 4 innings.