Cougars rally to beat Quad Cities
DAVENPORT, Iowa - The Kane County Cougars scored three times in the seventh inning to take the lead for good in a 5-2 victory over the Quad Cities River Bandits on Wednesday night at Modern Woodmen Park.
The Cougars (3-3) overcame an early hole after the River Bandits (1-4) scored two runs in the bottom of the first. Jacob Meyers walked, stole second and advanced to third on J.J. Matijevic's single. Jonathan Arauz and Adrian Tovalin singled in back-to-back at bats. Both hits drove in runs to make it 2-0 Quad Cities after one inning.
The Cougars trimmed the deficit to 2-1 in the fifth on Luis Basabe's RBI single.
Yoel Yanqui led off the Cougars' seventh with a single. With one out, Ernie De La Trinidad singled and advanced to second when the throw from the outfield was late trying to nab Yanqui running to third. The next batter, Joey Rose, walked and ball four was a wild pitch, allowing Yanqui to score and tie the game, 2-2. Later in the inning, Basabe walked with the bases loaded to give the Cougars their first lead. Stephen Smith made it 4-2 Cougars with a sacrifice fly.
Tim Susnara's RBI single in the 8th inning added to the Cougars lead, making it 5-2.
Cougars' starter Jayson McKinley settled in after the first. He pitched 4.2 innings, allowed two runs, five hits, struck out four and walked two. McKinley left the game with the Cougars trailing 2-0, ultimately taking no decision. For the second straight night, the Cougars bullpen did not allow a hit. Matt Peacock (1-0) earned the win after 1.1 perfect innings that included two strikeouts. Erbert Gonzalez tossed two no-hit innings with three strikeouts and one walk.
Jake Winston recorded the first two outs in the bottom of the ninth. Matijevic came to the plate representing the tying run with two outs and runners at first and second. Anfernee Benitez (1) entered the game on the mound and recorded a fly out to left to end the game and earn the save.
Bandits starter Cesar Rosado hurled five innings, yielding one run on one hit with four strikeouts and two walks. Adam Bleday (0-1) took the loss, allowing three runs in 1.1 innings. Robert Corniel walked in the tying run in the seventh, one of five walks allowed during his 1.2 innings of work. Cole Watts threw a scoreless ninth.