Cougars open series with 4-1 victory

APPLETON, Wis. — Thanks to the solid pitching of Jason Adam, Jason Mitchell and Nick Rogers and a clutch, 2-run single from Kevin David, the Kane County Cougars snapped a three-game losing streak Wednesday night.

They beat the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 4-1 at Time Warner Cable Field to take the opener of the three-game set and remain in tied with Clinton for the top playoff spot in the Western Division with 12 games left. The Cougars also lead Beloit by 7 games for a spot overall.

The Cougars scored 2 unearned runs in the first against Eric Arnett (0-3) and never gave away the lead. Angel Franco led off with a single and was safe at second on Geulin Beltre’s fielder’s choice because of an error by Arnett.

Then Cheslor Cuthbert singled to center, and Franco and Beltre both scored after the ball got away from center fielder Franklin Romero.

The Rattlers answered in the bottom half against Adam (6-8) but never scored again. Adam gave up 1 run on 4 hits, walked none and struck out two in 5-plus innings, and Jason Mitchell followed with 3 scoreless innings. Mitchell induced an inning-ending double play in the sixth to escape a threat, and Beltre kept the Cougars ahead in the seventh with an inning-ending diving catch.

Then in the eighth David belted a two-out single to score Brett Eibner and Cheslor Cuthbert for a 4-1 cushion.

Nick Rogers worked a perfect ninth for his seventh save in as many chances.