Cougars split series in Wisconsin
Appleton, Wisconsin - The Kane County Cougars (53-53, 18-19) lost the final game of a four-game set, 4-2, to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (48-58, 17-20) on Tuesday night at Fox Cities Stadium.
It only took two Cougar batters in the top of the first inning to plate the first run. Tra Holmes' leadoff double started the game. The next hitter, Yoel Yanqui, singled to center field to give the Cougars a 1-0 cushion. In the fourth, Payton Henry made Cougar starter Mack Lemieux pay for a pair of walks with an RBI single to tie the game, 1-1.
The Cougars pushed ahead in the top of the sixth inning. Jose Caballero's one-out double was followed by Tim Susnara's RBI double. However, Wisconsin evened the game, 2-2, on Darren Seferina's RBI single with two outs in the bottom of the sixth.
The decisive rally for the Timber Rattlers came in the eighth. Kenny Corey had the RBI single that proved to be the game-winner. Seferina collected his second RBI base hit of the night to add insurance for the Timber Rattlers.
Cougars starter Mack Lemieux left the game after five innings of one-run ball in line for his first win since mid-June, but took no decision. The lefty struck out nine and only walked two. Abraham Almonte tossed two innings out of the Cougar pen, surrendering one run. Bryan Valdez (0-1) suffered the loss, giving up the two Wisconsin runs in the eighth inning.
Wisconsin starter Nelson Hernandez did not factor into the decision. He allowed two runs on 10 hits over 5.1 innings. Lefty Clayton Andrews (3-0) did not allow a run over 2.2 frames, walking home with the win. Rodrigo Benoit (10) pitched around a walk to throw a scoreless ninth and earn the save.
The Cougars head to Beloit to take on the Snappers in the first game of a three-game series on Wednesday night. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. Mack Lemieux (2-1, 4.29) takes the ball for the Cougars.