Timber Rattlers throttle Cougars 18-9
Despite scoring 9 runs, the Kane County Cougars (28-32) dropped the series opener 18-9 against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (28-33) from Fifth Third Bank Ballpark Friday night.
The two teams combined for 6 home runs, five by Wisconsin, and 27 hits as the Cougars yielded the most hits they had surrendered all season.
Wisconsin scored 7 runs in the second inning to take a commanding lead against Justin Donatella (5-4). The Timber Rattlers pieced together a string of base hits culminating with a 2-run double from Luis Aviles to take the lead. From there, Trent Clark also posted a 2-run hit as former Diamondbacks prospect, Isan Diaz, smashed a 3-run home run to right center to cap off the inning.
In the third inning, Monte Harrison hit his third home run of the season against Donatella to make it an 8-0 deficit for the Cougars. Donatella exited the game after just three innings, allowing 8 runs on 8 hits. It was Donatella's shortest outing of the year. His last two outings have been his briefest outings of 2016.
The Cougars returned the favor in the home half of the third with a five-run response. Against Wisconsin right-hander, Conor Harber, the Cougars received their first run on a two-out RBI single from Trevor Mitsui. Then Grant Heyman smashed a three-run home run toward right center. The Cougars kept the third inning offensive spurt going as Joe Munoz doubled and was driven in on a seeing-eye single from Jason Morozowski.
In half an inning the Cougars slashed their deficit making it an 8-5 ballgame. But a persistent Wisconsin team tacked on 2 runs in the fourth to reach double digits on a 2-run double from Jake Gatewood against reliever, right-hander Cody Clark.
As the see-saw battle continued, the Cougars strung together 3 runs in the home half of the fourth inning. Austin Byler plugged a 2-out base hit up the box for a run, while Heyman's fly ball was lost in left field for an error by Clark to plate 2 more runs and the Cougars trailed by just two runs, 10-8.
The Timber Rattlers tacked on 8 runs in the fifth, seventh, and eighth innings, broadening their lead to 10 runs. Three came from home runs. Mitch Ghelfi and Luis Aviles each connected on solo shots before Harrison's grand slam, completing the outfielder's second multi-home run game against the Cougars this season.
Drake Owenby (3-1) grabbed the win for Wisconsin in relief, striking out 11 Cougars.
Saturday's game begins at 6:30 p.m. and is the middle game of the three-game set with the Timber Rattlers. Left-hander, Alex Young (1-0, 1.88 ERA) takes the mound for the Cougars against the Timber Rattlers right-hander, Freddy Peralta (2-1, 3.29 ERA).