Cougars drop road trip opener

Falling victim to a fantastic Midwest League debut from Yadier Alvarez (1-0), the Kane County Cougars (9-18, 42-54) dropped their Michigan road trip opener Wednesday to the Great Lakes Loons (9-16, 38-57) by a 5-1 score.

Without a win in Midland since April 8, 2012, the Cougars only reeled in seven hits and one run thanks to an RBI double from Trevor Mitsui. It was the third straight series the Cougars have lost a series opener, all against Eastern Division opponents.

Although the Loons hold the lowest team batting average in the league, they can hit home runs. That's what they did against the Cougars' right-hander Carlos Hernandez (3-7) in the second when Will Smith went deep to make it 1-0 Great Lakes. The Cougars quickly tied it up in the fourth when Trevor Mitsui roped an RBI double, his team leading 24th two-bagger of 2016.

That was the closest the Cougars would get to the Loons' lead as Great Lakes tallied a pair of runs in the home half of the fourth. Brendon Davis had the first RBI of the stanza and advanced to scoring position on a throw to third. Davis subsequently scored on an RBI from center fielder Logan Landon. The Loons put up another run in the fifth stanza sending Hernandez out of the game.

In total, Hernandez logged four and two-thirds innings on four runs and four strikeouts. It was difficult for the Cougars offense to bail out their starter as Alvarez struck out 10 batters in just five innings of work. Alvarez threw only 16 balls in 68 efficient pitches. It was his first start in a Loons uniform after a brief stint in the Arizona League.

In the final inning, the Cougars loaded the bases with the tying run at the plate. But Sergio Alcantara struck out and the Cougars finished with seven men left on the basepaths. Hernandez suffered his team leading seventh loss, with Alvarez getting the victory.