Cougars top TinCaps

Pitching from the Kane County Cougars (16-11) continues to dominate as the series opener against the Fort Wayne TinCaps (15-13) went to the home team at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark in Geneva Thursday evening by a score of 6-2.

Offense started in favor of the Cougars in the bottom of the second inning, thanks to a Fort Wayne error. Luis Veras and Jason Morozowski connected on back-to-back singles, but Morozowski's base hit was misplayed by TinCap outfielder Jhonatan Pena, allowing Veras to score. Josh Anderson later drove in Morozowski with a sacrifice fly for a 2-0 lead.

Cody Reed (2-1) set a team high with six and two-third innings pitched on Thursday, and continued the pitching staff's solid work. The left-handed starter allowed just four hits with no walks and nine strikeouts. Reed tossed the eighth quality start by a Cougar pitcher this year.

More offense from the Cougars came in the fourth inning as Jose Queliz singled off Fort Wayne starter Logan Allen (2-1) to bring home Morozowski.

In the seventh, the Cougars piled on three more insurance runs. Zach Nehrir launched his first home run of the season over the left field wall. Luis Veras brought home Trevor Mitsui with a sacrifice fly, and Anderson collected his second RBI of the day with a single.

Gabe Speier took over for Reed in the seventh with the Cougars ahead by three runs. Finishing off the game, the lefty reliever earned his first save of the year, with no earned runs allowed in two and one-third innings.

The series between the Cougars and TinCaps continues on Friday. Right-hander Joel Payamps (0-2, 4.11) will make his starting debut against Fort Wayne's Brett Kennedy (1-1, 2.82). First pitch at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark is at 6:30 p.m.