Cougars bitten by Bees

Extra innings at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark couldn’t provide the Kane County Cougars with enough time to finish a three-game sweep of the Burlington Bees as they fell 6-5 in 10 innings in Geneva.

For the third consecutive game, the Cougars (47-65, 17-29) claimed the early advantage with Jeimer Candelario’s two-out single in the first bringing home Oliver Zapata to make it 1-0.

Burlington (44-68, 18-29) responded with a pair of runs in the second against Tyler Skulina. Julio Concepcion doubled and scored on a Skulina throwing error. Zach Wright came home on a hit by Garrett Cannizaro.

Burlington extended its advantage with a run in the third and a pair in the fourth. Wade Hinkle doubled in Exicardo Cayones in the third while Pedro Toribio and Angel Rosa came through with run-scoring hits in the fourth against Al Yevoli.

Rob Zastryzny made his Midwest League debut in the fifth by putting together a string of three straight scoreless innings while surrendering just 2 hits.

While Zastryzny was on the hill, Carlos Escobar brought the Cougars back from behind. Escobar cranked a two-run homer in the fourth before a two-run single evened the game at 5-5 in the fifth.

Neither team was able to manage a run until the Bees claimed the lead in the 10th against Michael Hamann (1-1). Hinkle walked and advanced to third on singles from Concepcion and Wright. Riley Good’s sacrifice fly drew Hinkle home to give the Bees the lead for good.