Cougars fall 5-1 to Timber Rattlers

The Kane County Cougars offense was shut down by Jorge Lopez and the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers on Friday night at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark in Geneva in a 5-1 loss.

Michael Heesch (3-5) was good for the Cougars (29-35) through the first 4 innings, allowing just 3 hits and no runs. The lefty ran into trouble in the fifth inning when the first two base runners reached. Heesch would record the next two outs before Alfredo Rodriguez blasted a 2-run double to give the Timber Rattlers the lead.

Big-league rehabber Shawn Camp made his second appearance with the Cougars on Friday night. He worked 2 scoreless innings striking out three and allowing just 1 hit in what is expected to be his final rehab appearance.

Righty Jorge Lopez (3-5) started for the Timber Rattlers (28-35) and fell into trouble early allowing the first two base runners to reach in the top of the first. Lopez would retire Dan Vogelbach and get out of the inning when he struck out Jeimer Candeleario and Albert Almora was caught stealing second base. Lopez would retire 12 hitters in a row between the first and fifth innings.

Two runners reached second and third base with two outs in the fifth, but Oliver Zapata struck out swinging in the final threat by the Cougars offense. Lopez finished after 6 shutout innings, allowing just 2 hits and striking out six.

In the sixth, the Timber Rattlers tacked on 3 runs. The first three baserunners reached to load the bases before a Mike Garza sacrifice fly. Parker Berberet executed a perfect safety squeeze to drive in Michael Reed before a Brent Dean RBI double gave the Timber Rattlers a 5-0 lead.

Timber Rattlers reliever Ryan Gibbard worked the final 3 innings, allowing 3 hits to earn his second save.

The Cougars continue the first half’s final three-game series against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. Righty Dillon Maples (0-1) will start for the Cougars, and the Timber Rattlers will send Preston Gainey (2-5) to the mound.