After 2-run first, Cougars shut down

After scoring in the first inning, the Kane County Cougars were blanked the rest of the way in a 4-2 loss to the Beloit Snappers on Monday night at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark.

Beloit (42-32, 3-1) grabbed the advantage in the top of the first as Miguel Sano doubled with two outs and scored on a base hit from Drew Leachman.

Jason Wheeler (8-3) didn’t keep that lead for long as he walked the first two batters he faced in the bottom of the first. Sano booted a grounder off the bat of Danny Mateo to score Justin Trapp while Michael Antonio lifted a sacrifice fly to bring home Jack Lopez, putting the Cougars (36-38, 2-2) on top.

Aaron Brooks (4-8) lasted 5 innings for the Cougars and surrendered 7 hits, including a one-out single in the third to JD Williams. Williams then stole second and went to third on a throwing error from Kenny Swab. A.J. Pettersen walked and stole second while Williams came home Swab fired another ball into center field, tying the game at 2-2.

Beloit went ahead in the fourth inning as Adam Bryant singled home Steven Liddle. Liddle was hit by a pitch to start the inning and went to second on a wild pitch. Bryant crossed the plate on a two-base hit by Tyler Grimes. Malcom Culver and Cody Fassold combined for four scoreless innings out of the Kane County bullpen while Tim Atherton and Corey Williams (S, 10) did the same for Beloit.

The Cougars are at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark on Tuesday when they battle the Snappers at 6:30 p.m. For tickets, please call (630) 232-8811 or visit www.kccougars.com. You can listen to the broadcast on AM 1280 WBIG and www.kccougars.com, beginning with Cougars on Deck at 6:15 p.m. Right-hander Kellen Moen (3-3) will start for the Cougars against fellow righty Matt Summers (6-4).