Cougars’ Baez gets a win

Angel Baez earned his first professional victory in his Cougars debut as Kane County won 5-1 over the Beloit Snappers on Saturday night at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark in Geneva.

Baez (1-0) entered the game with an 0-15 lifetime record, but he worked 6 strong innings while limiting the Snappers to a run on 3 hits.

Baez walked three and stuck out seven. The only run he surrendered came in the third inning on a sacrifice fly from Eddie Rosario. By then the Cougars (27-22) already were enjoying a sizable lead.

Steven Gruver (3-4) only lasted 3 innings and had much trouble in the second and third.

Consecutive errors in the second by Miguel Sano allowed the first two Kane County hitters to reach. Dean Espy walked to load the bases with no outs.

After Edul Escobar fanned, Murray Watts ripped a double to left-center, unloading the bases to give the Cougars a 3-0 advantage.

Runey Davis doubled home Watts to cap a 4-run second. Escobar’s third-inning double scored Lane Adams to the plate to finish the scoring.

The Cougars didn’t get another man on base after the third as the Beloit bullpen worked 5 perfect innings. Robinson Yambati (first save) nailed down the final 3 innings for the Cougars without giving up a run.