Cougars shut out by Timber Rattlers

Falling by a 3-0 score, the Kane County Cougars (21-28, 54-66) had no offensive solutions for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (24-26, 58-62) stingy pitching staff. The Cougars have now lost four of their last five games, a slide that came after a season-high eight game win streak to start August.

Wisconsin put up single runs in the first two innings against Cougar starter Emilio Vargas (3-6). Making his second straight start against Wisconsin, the Timber Rattlers Trent Clark and Troy Stokes Jr. led off the game with back-to-back hits. Despite a subsequent double play, the Timber Rattlers pushed a run across. To lead off the second, Jake Gatewood crushed his 12th home run of the season past left center field. At the end of two innings, it was 2-0 Wisconsin.

The Cougars threatened sparingly against Wisconsin's starting hurler Thomas Jankins (0-2). In the second frame, Gerard Hernandez placed a double down the third base line but was stranded in scoring position. In the fifth, the Cougars had two men on, including Sergio Alcantara 90 feet away from home, but a Fernery Ozuna ground out subdued the rally.

The rest of the way, it was a pitcher's duel. The Timber Rattlers went to the bullpen after the fourth, the Cougars did the same at the end of five innings. The starters deserve credit as Vargas tossed five innings on just two runs in a losing effort. Jankins reeled in four innings of scoreless work with just three hits surrendered.

For insurance, the Timber Rattlers added one in the ninth. After a walk and base hit against righty Jose Martinez (1-0), a wild pitch to the screen scored Gatewood. Dating back to the last meeting between the teams, it is now eight unanswered runs scored by the Timber Rattlers.

In the ninth, Timber Rattler closer Nate Griep (1-2) came on to finish the game. The inning started with a Joey Armstrong single laced up the middle. But Armstrong was left on the base paths as Griep maintained the shutout.

Vargas suffered the loss, his first in August. In relief, Conor Harber (2-3) took the win and Griep notched his league leading 18th save.