Close but not quite for the Chicago Dogs

As has been the theme lately, the Dogs offense got things going early, but couldn’t capitalize on a few late-game opportunities, and the bullpen couldn’t hang on, leading to a 5-4 loss at the hands of the division-leading Lake Country DockHounds.

Jose Acuna made his first start of the season, and while the strikeout pitch was working for him, he struggled to keep Lake Country off the scoreboard. He gave up three runs in his three and two thirds innings of work, two of which were earned. He issued three walks and struck out five.

Keoni Cavaco came on in relief of Acuna but also struggled, giving up two runs on three walks and two strikeouts in an inning and a third. Will Merriott threw two scoreless innings, striking out two, and Jacob DeLabio tossed a scoreless eighth.

The offense book-ended seven zeros with three runs in the first and one in the ninth. Tyreque Reed drove in two with a double in the first inning and scored in the next at-bat as Jaxx Groshans singled. The run in the ninth came on an RBI groundout from Reed.