advertisement

Cougars outlasted by Lugnuts

LANSING, MI. - Although the Kane County Cougars (10-20, 43-57) ran out to a first inning lead and had 10 hits, the Lansing Lugnuts (17-13, 53-47) used a pair of deep home runs and a big fourth inning to secure a 4-3 victory. It was the first time the Cougars lost to the Lugnuts since July 16th, 2014.

On the road trip, the Cougars are now just 1-4, and still have not secured an inter-division series win since early May when they took two-of-three from the Lake County Captains. Overall, the Cougars have dropped their last four series with Eastern Division opponents.

For the third straight game, the Cougars scored in the first inning to take the initial lead. Plating two runs, Frank Christy's single with two men aboard gave the Cougars their first run. Trevor Mitsui then crossed home plate on a wild pitch against the usually stingy right-hander, Jordan Romano (2-1).

In the third frame, Lansing cut the deficit in half with a deep home run from one of the Blue Jays' top prospects, Max Pentecost. After the blast, the Lugnuts took the lead with a 3-run fourth. With their second round-tripper of the contest, Connor Panas slugged his team-leading 10th HR that sailed 450-feet past right-center to tie up the game. With the go-ahead run support, third baseman Alex Maldonado's double scored a pair.

It was a short start for the Cougars' right-hander Emilio Vargas (1-5). He lasted 4 innings on 6 hits, 4 runs, 3 strikeouts and 2 walks. His ERA now stands at 5.30, an outing removed from logging a career high 7⅓ innings pitched in a win over South Bend.

Trailing by two runs, the Cougars were picked up by Christy. With massive success in the series, Christy hit the third home run of the game to center field to get the Cougars back on the board. In the series, Christy is 5-for-10 with a home run, 2 runs, and 2 RBI.

Although the Cougars received a superior bullpen effort in an attempt to comeback, the Lugnuts bullpen was just as effective. The Cougars went down one-two-three in the final inning, as the two teams play a Monday rubber match.

Vargas suffered his fifth loss in seven tries, as Romano picks up the win, and Jackson Lowery (2) the 1 inning save. The Cougars look to win the series on Monday.

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.