Chiefs down Cougars, 3-2
PEORIA - With three lead changes and two ties, the rubber match of this three-game series was closely contested. But the Kane County Cougars (32-36) were outdone by the Peoria Chiefs (26-33) in a 3-2 decision. The loss puts the Cougars with a 2-4 road trip with four games remaining.
The game was tied until the bottom of the eighth, when the Chiefs drew a bases-loaded walk for the go-ahead run. It was another great outing though from right-hander Curtis Taylor (0-4). Taylor lasted five and one-third innings on just six hits and two runs (two earned) with five strikeouts in the no-decision.
In the early portion of this game, the Cougars offense was functioning far better than it had the night before. In the second inning, the Cougars were on the board with hits from Manny Jefferson and Alexis Olmeda along with a throwing error by the pitcher, Jordan Hicks (7-1). On the error, Jefferson scored as the Cougars vaulted to a 1-0 advantage.
In the home half of the third, Peoria took the lead on a solo home run from rehabbing big leaguer, Kolten Wong. The round-tripper, against righty Curtis Taylor (0-4), was Wong's first hit of the series against the Cougars. Previously Wong was 0-for-4 with a hit by pitch.
With a tie game, the Cougars broke through for another lead in the fifth inning. Loading the bases with no outs, Jefferson's sacrifice fly scored Anfernee Grier as the Cougars burst to a 2-1 advantage. The Cougars had a chance for more in the frame, but Luis Basabe grounded into a double play.
The seesaw affair continued as Peoria answered with a run of their own in the home half of the fifth. Taylor plugged Andy Young with a pitch and Andrew Knizner ripped a double to right field knotting the game at two a piece.
In the deciding eighth, the Chiefs were able to score against losing right-hander Tyler Mark (3-2). Ryan McCarvel started the frame with a double to right field, as Mark intentionally walked Vince Jackson. Loading the bases, Juan Yepez singled. Dylan Carlson drew a go-ahead RBI walk as the Chiefs went ahead 3-2.
The Chiefs would hang on for a breezy top of the ninth, as Brady Bowen (4) notched the save. The win went to Chiefs right-hander Yeison Medina (2-0). The Cougars next embark on a four-game road series at Wisconsin. Friday night's first pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m. with right-hander Jon Duplantier (6-0, 0.74 ERA) on the bump against the Timber Rattler's right-hander Braden Webb (1-4, 5.59 ERA).