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Cougars can’t hold lead in loss to Chiefs

After scoring 5 runs in the first two innings, the Kane County Cougars appeared on track for their fourth consecutive victory.

But the Peoria Chiefs had other plans, scoring five times in the seventh to rally for a 9-6 triumph Monday afternoon at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark in Geneva.

Peoria (8-8) grabbed the lead against starter Michael Heesch in the top of the first when Patrick Wisdom delivered a two-out, RBI single to drive home Breyvic Valera.

But the Cougars (7-9) struck for 3 runs in the bottom of the first off starter Kyle Helisek. Chadd Krist drew a bases-loaded walk to tie the game at 1-1, and Marco Hernandez cracked a 2-run double to put the Cougars on top. The Cougars added 2 more runs in the second.

Heesch worked 6 innings and allowed 2 runs.

Brian Smith (0-1) came on in relief in the seventh and allowed 5 runs, although just 1 was earned. Charlie Tilson led off with a single and scored on Alex Mejia’s single. Jordan Walton had a sacrifice fly and Michael Swinson contributed a 2-run single that gave the Chiefs the lead.

Matt Iannazzo allowed a pair of insurance runs to the Chiefs in the ninth, with Swinson and Tilson coming through with RBI singles.

Chiefs reliever Zach Petrick (1-0) gave up a home run to Dan Vogelbach. Dixon Llorens recorded the final five outs to earn his third save, as he got Krist to pop out with the bases loaded to end the game.

The Cougars host the Chiefs in the finale of their three-game series today at 11 a.m. Right-hander Lendy Castillo (0-0) starts for the Cougars against righty Joe Cuda (1-0).

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