Danny Mateo's 3-run homer sparks Cougars
Danny Mateo's 3-run homer highlighted a 4-run third inning — all the Kane County Cougars needed to capture a 4-3 victory over the Quad Cities River Bandits on Wednesday night at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark in Geneva.
Dean Espy singled to begin the rally against starter Sam Gaviglio (3-4) of the River Bandits (29-30).
Espy advanced to third when Kenny Swab doubled to deep center. Runey Davis cracked a sacrifice fly to drive home Espy with the game's first run. Two batters later, Orlando Calixte drew a walk to put two men on base for Mateo, who hammered a ball over the fence in right as the Cougars (31-28) took a 4-0 lead.
Aaron Brooks (4-6) worked 7 innings, allowing 6 hits. The River Bandits picked up their first run in the fourth when Luis Mateo singled, reached third on a double by Nick Martini and scored on Tyler Rahmatulla's sacrifice fly to center.
The River Bandits added a pair in the sixth inning. Colin Walsh drove across Martini with a single, and Walsh scored on Juan Castillo's sacrifice fly.
Matt Ridings replaced Brooks in the eighth and closed out the River Bandits for his first save. He allowed 1 hit with two strikeouts.