Kane County Cougars drop first series opener in 11 tries

PEORIA, Ill. - The Kane County Cougars (23-6, 59-38) could not finish off the comeback over the Peoria Chiefs (19-10, 52-45) as the Western Division opponent hung on for an 8-5 victory on Friday.

After Peoria plated 5 runs out of the gate against Cougars starter Markus Solbach (9-3), the Cougars were chasing a 7-run deficit by the third inning.

Austin Gomber (10-3) held the Cougars' offense hitless as he faced the minimum through the first four frames. Joe Munoz connected on the first Cougars knock in the top of the fifth inning and was eventually part of a 2-run single by Quinnton Mack.

After finding the scoreboard, the Cougars turned the tide briefly. Ildemaro Vargas launched his third home run of the year over the left field wall to begin the sixth frame. It was Vargas' second homer against his former club in Peoria.

Michael Perez joined in on the fun as he slapped a 2-run shot in the seventh inning to knock Gomber out of the game. The Cougars scored 5 unanswered runs to cut Peoria's lead 7-5.

In the eighth inning, the Cougars had a chance to tie the game and even take the lead. Chiefs' closer Kyle Grana came to the mound with two runners on and loaded the bases on Perez's infield single. But pinch hitter Cody Regis grounded out to end the threat and the inning.

Peoria added another insurance run in the bottom of the frame as Andrew Sohn singled home Brian O'Keefe for the Chiefs' first run since the third.

Again the Cougars threatened in the ninth as they put two runners on. With both Mack and Chuck Taylor in scoring position, Marty Herum came up to the plate with 2 outs. The Cougars first baseman hit a line drive that was dramatically snagged by a diving Alex DeLeon to end the ballgame.

Grana picked up his 15th save in 15 opportunities.

Solbach saw his eight-game winning streak come to an end with his first loss since May 4 against the Quad-Cities River Bandits. The German right-hander came into Friday's game with a career 16 scoreless innings against the Chiefs' offense. Oscar Mercado's solo shot on the first pitch from Solbach ended that streak as well.

The Cougars and Chiefs continue this series on Saturday.