Bandits end Cougars’ season

DAVENPORT, Iowa — The Kane County Cougars’ season ended Sunday when they let a 5-0 lead slip away and lost 6-5 to the Quad Cities River Bandits at Modern Woodmen Park.

The game ended on a 3-run homer from Bandits outfielder Nick Longmire, eliminating the Cougars from the Western Division championship series.

The Cougars never trailed before the ninth inning. Kevin David belted a home run off Zach Russell in the second inning, and Jake Kuebler drilled a 2-run triple in the fifth to make it 3-0.

Then Kuebler scored on a sacrifice fly by Yowill Espinal, and Angel Franco cracked a solo homer in the top of the eighth to make it 5-0.

Starter Jason Mitchell turned in one of the Cougars’ best pitching performances all season. He had a 3-hit shutout through 7 innings with 9 strikeouts, allowing 2 runs (1 earned) before leaving in the eighth.

Chase Boruff began the ninth with a walk to Ronny Gil, who later took second on a wild pitch and third on defensive indifference.

Jonathan Rodriguez singled home Gil, and the Cougars called on Antonio Cruz, who gave up a single to Cody Stanley and the game-ending homer to Longmire.