Cougars win 2-1 in 10 innings
It had been more than three months since the Kane County Cougars (36-20, 81-45) matched up against the Burlington Bees (26-30, 65-60), but both teams picked up right where they left off as Monday night's series opener couldn't be decided in nine innings.
The Cougars used a leadoff walk in the bottom of the 10th for a 2-1 victory in front of 7,561 at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark.
Despite being undefeated against the Bees this season, 6 of the 7 Cougar wins have been decided by 3 runs or fewer.
After a solid performance by both squads' starters and relievers, the Cougars took advantage of Grant Gordon's (2-3) leadoff walk to Trey Martin. After Martin moved to second base on a wild pitch, Shawon Dunston Jr. split the right side of the infield for a game-winning single as the Cougars won their seventh straight home game.
Jen-Ho Tseng tossed his seventh quality start, surrendering only 1 run on a solo shot in the second. Michael Heesch kept the game tied at 1-1 until being relieved by Jasvir Rakkar (2-0).
The Cougars tied the game in the third inning, despite only sending three hitters to the plate.
Dunston was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning and moved to second on a groundout. The Cougars' leadoff man reached third on a wild pitch from starter Harrison Cooney and took off for home when McGee's attempt to third went wild.
The series continues Tuesday with a pitching matchup of Paul Blackburn (9-4, 3.34) and Daniel Hurtado (2-2, 1.96). First pitch from Fifth Third Bank Ballpark is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.