Cougars drop finale in Lansing
LANSING, Mich. - The Kane County Cougars dropped the finale of a three-game road series, 6-5, against the Lansing Lugnuts on Thursday night at Cooley Law School Stadium.
The Cougars (11-13) took a first inning lead. After Yoel Yanqui's two-out walk, Eudy Ramos clubbed his first home run of the year to put the Cougars in front, 2-0. In the bottom of the second inning, Kevin Smith doubled to start the frame. With one out, Ryan Noda was hit by a pitch to put runners at first and third. With Javier Hernandez at the dish, Cougar pitcher Cole Stapler committed a throwing error on a pickoff attempt, allowing Smith to score and the Lugnuts (18-9) to cut the Cougar lead in half. With two outs, Samad Taylor tied the game, 2-2, with a double. The Cougars responded in the third inning when Jasrado Chisholm doubled with one out. The Cougars regained the lead when the next batter, Yoel Yanqui, singled up the middle to score Chisholm.
Chisholm came to the plate in the fifth inning with the Cougars leading 3-2. With Gabriel Maciel on base, Chisholm hit a round-tripper to left-center field to give the Cougars a 5-2 advantage.
In the bottom of the fifth, Kacy Clemens doubled to right, scoring Kevin Vicuna, pulling Lansing to with in two runs. The bottom of the sixth inning proved to be the decisive frame. Two walks and an error loaded the bases with no one out. Chavez Young hit a sacrifice fly to left field, cutting the Cougar lead to 5-4. The next batter, Vicuna, singled up the middle to score two runs and give Lansing the lead, 6-5.
After Lansing took the lead, the Cougars went nine up, nine down to close out the game.
Cougars' starting pitcher Cole Stapler took no decision. The right-hander tossed five innings, allowed three runs, six hits, struck out five and walked two. Breckin Williams (1-2) suffered a blown save and the loss, surrendering three runs (two earned) on one hit and two walks. Cole Bartlett posted two scoreless innings, striking out four batters in his Cougar debut.
Lansing right-hander Donnie Sellers did not factor into the decision. Sellers lasted five innings, giving up five runs on seven hits. Maverik Buffo (3-1) provided four innings of scoreless relief to pick up the win. Buffo allowed just one hit.