Solid pitching gives Cougars shut-out win over Wisconsin

The Kane County Cougars notched their 11th shutout as a team as Junior Garcia (3-3) and three relievers clung to a 1-0 lead throughout to claim the series finale over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (30-33).

The lone run was plated in the second inning as both teams combined for just 10 hits en route to their fourth victory this season against the Timber Rattlers.

In a game with sparse offensive opportunities, the Cougars struck first on a costly Wisconsin error. With one aboard, Gerard Hernandez's field choice to second was thrown past second base all the way down the left field line. With head's up base running, Frank Christy scored on the long overthrow to make it 1-0 Cougars.

It was one of the best efforts all season from Garcia. He logged 5⅓ innings on just four hits and no runs allowed. He also limited the opposition to just one walk lowering his season ERA to 4.25.

In bullpen support, the Cougars saw a fireman outing from right-hander Austin Mason (0-0). Coming in for Garcia in the sixth with runners on the corners, Mason struck out Carlos Belonis and forced an infield pop out from Jake Gatewood to subdue the threat.

A jam occurred again in the seventh as Tyler Mark (0-5) had two runners in scoring position before striking out Troy Stokes to register another scoreless innings in a valiant pitching effort from the Cougars.

Ending the game, Drew Muren (2) picked up the save touching 98 miles per hour on his fastball in a 1-2-3 final frame. Garcia grabbed the victory as Miguel Diaz (1-6) suffered the loss for the Timber Rattlers.