Kane County Cougars roll past Wisconsin 13-2

PEORIA - The Kane County Cougars earned their second straight victory over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers with a 13-2 rout Wednesday at Dozer Park.

Wisconsin (3-9) scored first on an RBI groundout from Pat McInerney in the first inning. The Cougars (5-5) tied the score in the second inning on Renae Martinez's RBI double. With two outs and Martinez at second, three straight Cougars walked, including Yoel Yanqui's RBI walk for a 2-1 lead.

Luis Silverio followed with a 2-run double to make it 4-1 after two innings. The Cougars added 2 runs in the third on an RBI triple by Luis Basabe. Basabe scored on the play on an error by Wisconsin right fielder Demi Orimoloye to 6-1.

Wisconsin got a run back in the third on Joantgel Segovia's double to make it 6-2.

The Cougars broke the game open in the fourth with 4 runs. Luis Silverio singled in a run. Eudy Ramos drove in 2 with a single, and the Cougars extended their lead to 10-2 on a wild pitch. Silverio hit an RBI triple in the fifth and scored on a wild pitch, making it 12-2.

Ramos' sacrifice fly in the ninth completed the scoring.

Cole Stapler (1-1) earned the win. He allowed 2 runs (1 earned) on 4 hits over 5 innings, striking out six and walking none. Jayson McKinley walked the first batter he faced then bounced back to retire the next eight batters in 3 shutout innings. Carlos Bustamante pitched a perfect ninth in his 2018 Cougars debut.

Wisconsin starter Nelson Hernandez (1-2) took the loss. He allowed 4 runs in 1⅔ innings on 4 hits and 4 walks.

Matthew Hardy allowed 2 unearned runs in 1⅓ innings. Jenri Montas lasted just two-thirds of an inning, allowing 4 runs.

Rodrigo Benoit gave up 2 runs in 2⅓ innings out of the Timber Rattlers' bullpen. Robbie Hitt and Gabe Friese worked scoreless innings. Rattlers' shortstop Nick Roscetti allowed a run on the mound in the ninth.