Cougars drop second straight to Lugnuts

LANSING, Mich. — Held to 3 hits, the Kane County Cougars suffered their second straight loss as they fell 6-0 to the Lansing Lugnuts on Thursday night at Cooley Law School Stadium.

Lansing (16-5) grabbed an early advantage for the second consecutive game, as the Lugnuts picked up a run in the bottom of the second when Chris Hawkins scored on a hit by Andy Burns.

Burns was nearly thrown out at second but got caught in a rundown when Hawkins broke for home and slid around Jin-Ho Shin’s tag for the first run.

That’s the only run the Lugnuts needed. Noah Syndergaard started and dominated for 3 innings, allowing 1 hit and striking out three. Anthony DeSclafani (2-0) worked the next 3 innings and held the Cougars (10-11) to 1 single.

The Cougars’ Danny Mateo had 2 hits.

Scott Alexander (1-1) lasted 5 innings and surrendered 6 hits, including an RBI single by Markus Brisker that scored Burns in the bottom of the fifth and put the Lugnuts ahead by a pair.

Jason Mitchell pitched the final 3 innings, allowing 4 runs (1 earned).

Only two Cougars reached scoring position. Lane Adams was left on third in the eighth inning and Justin Trapp stranded at third in the ninth.