Cougars lose 11-1 in Quad Cities

DAVENPORT, Iowa - The Kane County Cougars' bats were held in check Monday in an 11-1 loss to the Quad Cities River Bandits on a frigid night at Modern Woodmen Park.

Cougars starter Cole Stapler retired the side in order in his first inning of work. In the second, Bandits cleanup hitter Adrian Tovalin led off with a double, advanced to third on a fly ball and scored when Stapler committed a throwing error on a pick off attempt, making it 1-0 Quad Cities. The River Bandits led 2-0 in the third after a solo home run by J.J Matijevic.

The Cougars slashed the deficit to 2-1 in the fourth. Jasrado Chisholm reached on a two-base error to start the inning. He advanced to third on an infield single by Yoel Yanqui. With Luis Silverio at the plate, Yanqui attempted to steal second. Yanqui was thrown out, but Chisholm scampered in from third to score the Cougars first run.

The River Bandits responded in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI single from Marcos Almonte to go up 3-1. Corey Julks hit the Bandits second homer of the night, a two-run shot in the sixth to make it 5-1 Quad Cities. In the seventh, with Ernie De La Trinidad at first and Yan Sanchez at second, the Cougars attempted a double steal. Sanchez successfully stole third and De La Trinidad beat the throw to second. On the throw down, Sanchez broke toward home and was gunned out to end the inning.

The Bandits put the game out of reach with six runs in the seventh inning, including Matijevic's second homer of the night.

Stapler's (0-1) start lasted five innings. He allowed three runs (two earned), six hits, struck out seven and walked four. Jake Winston allowed two runs in one inning out of relief. Anfernee Benitez tossed 0.2 innings, allowing five runs (two earned). Matt Peacock's only blemish in 1.1 innings was Matijevic's second homer.

Yohan Ramirez (1-0) retired the first eight men he faced in his start for the Bandits. He recorded the win after five innings pitched, allowing one unearned run, three hits and striking out seven. Cristian Javier notched a scoreless four-inning save.