Cougars win sixth in a row with 1-0 victory over Burlington

BURLINGTON, Iowa - It took nine innings for the Kane County Cougars (6-1, 42-33) to find the scoreboard, but it was just enough as they collected their sixth consecutive win with a 1-0 victory over the Burlington Bees (3-4, 38-38) Wednesday evening at Community Field.

Marty Herum led off the top of the eighth inning with the seventh hit of the day for the Cougars, smacking a single up the middle. After Herum swiped second base, Joe Munoz drove in the game's first and only run with a base hit to left field.

The usual closer for the Cougars Zac Curtis had taken the mound the past two games for the club, so manager Mark Grudzielanek went with reliever Luis Ramirez.

The Cougar right-hander served up a leadoff single to begin the bottom of the ninth, but induced a ground ball off the bat of Natanel Delgado for a 4-6-3 double play.

Ramirez then struck out Wade Wass to pick up his third save of the season. Pitching was clearly the story in Wednesday's contest. Cougar starter Wei-Chieh Huang tossed five scoreless frames while only allowing three hits and collecting eight strikeouts.

The Cougars' bullpen stepped up big once again, as Tom Jameson faced the minimum through two shutout innings. Jency Solis (3-1) picked up his second win of the series with a perfect eighth. Austin Robichaux was very impressive as the kept the Cougars scoreless through seven.

Robichaux struck out six batters and stranded half a dozen, but received no decision due to the lack of scoring. Eric Alonzo (0-1) suffered the loss giving up the lone run in the ninth inning.

The Cougars head home for a quick two-game home stand against the Clinton LumberKings. Ryan Doran (1-0, 0.00) will make his first Cougar start at home against the LumberKings' Pat Peterson (4-4, 4.33). First pitch at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.