Two early runs beat Cougars
MIDLAND, Mich. — Scoring twice in the bottom of the first inning Sunday, the Great Lakes Loons made the early advantage stick in a 2-1 victory over the Kane County Cougars at Dow Diamond.
Brooks Pounders (0-1) walked James Baldwin and Joe Winker with one out before striking out Scott Schebler while Baldwin stole third base.
Devin Shines followed with a single to right, scoring Baldwin and putting Winker at third. Pratt Maynard then bounced to short, but Orlando Calixte booted it, allowing Winker to touch home.
Gustavo Gomez (3-1) kept the Cougars off balance for five innings before they finally scored in the sixth. Justin Trapp singled with one out and advanced to second on a knock by Danny Mateo.
Jorge Bonifacio ended Gomez’s day with a single to center, scoring Trapp to cut the Great Lakes advantage to one.
Eric Eadington replaced Gomez and struck out Lane Adams to leave two men on base. Eadington and Yimi Garcia (fourth save) retired a combined 10 in a row as the Cougars never threatened again.
Santiago Garrido was the only reliever used by the Cougars. He worked 4 scoreless innings, allowing just 1 hit.