Baker roughed up in rehap start with Cougars
COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. — The Kane County Cougars could not overcome a 4-run first inning by the West Michigan Whitecaps and went on to lose 5-2 on Sunday at Fifth Third Ballpark.
Right-hander Scott Baker (0-1) started for the Cougars (4-18, 34-54), making his first rehab appearance after having been sidelined by Tommy John surgery since April 2012.
In the first, Baker allowed a pair of one-out singles, Jason King delivered a 2-run triple and Lance Durham blasted a 2-run homer that staked the Whitecaps (12-11, 45-48) to a 4-0 lead.
Baker worked around 2 singles in his next 2 innings, finishing after 3 innings in which he allowed 6 hits, walked one and struck out two on 56 pitches.
Whitecaps starter and winner Endrys Briceno ( 5-6) worked 5 innings and allowed 8 hits.
In the fourth, the Cougars scored their runs when Giuseppe Papaccio reached on a throwing error with two outs and Carlos Escobar followed with a 2-run homer.
The Cougars left 10 men on base and went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position.
The Cougars send out starter Felix Pena (2-3) to close their three-game series against the Whitecaps today at 6 p.m. against Jordan John (5-3).