Cougars lose fourth straight

Dayton, Ohio - The Kane County Cougars (45-48, 10-14) lost their fourth straight game with a 5-3 loss to the Dayton Dragons (43-49, 12-12) on Sunday afternoon at Fifth Third Field.

The Cougars broke the scoreless tie in the top of the third. Luis Lara led off with a double. Jancarlos Cintron grounded a ball in to center field for an RBI single, putting the Cougars in front, 1-0. With two outs, Yoel Yanqui roped a triple to center field, bringing Cintron home and expanding the lead to 2-0.

Dayton's breakout inning was the bottom of the third. Andy Sugilio singled with one out, beginning a string of seven straight batters reaching for the Dragons. Lorenzo Cedrola singled to put runners at first and second with one away. Jeter Downs followed with an automatic double to get the Dragons on the board and slice the Cougar lead to 2-1. Leandro Santana tied the game, 2-2, with an RBI single. J.D. Williams walked to load the bases. Mark Kolozsvary singled to give the Dragons a 3-2 lead. A Mitch Piatnik bases-loaded walk and Alejo Lopez's RBI ground out capped the five-run rally.

In the top of the ninth, Jancarlos Cintron doubled with two outs. Gabriel Maciel singled to center to drive in Cintron and bring the tying run to the plate. Jazz Chisholm flew out to center to end the game.

Cougar starter Jhoan Duran (5-4) took the loss. It was Duran's second shortest outing of the year, lasting just 2⅓ innings. He was charged with all 5 runs. Lane Ratliff pitched 3⅓ innings of scoreless ball out of the Cougar bullpen, scattering 2 hits and striking out 5. Juan Torres tossed an inning and Elbert Gonzalez hurled 1⅓ innings without allowing a Dayton run.

Packey Naughton (5-8) earned the win for Dayton, flinging 6 innings and allowing 2 runs. Aaron Quillen and Andy Cox each chipped in an inning of scoreless ball. Cory Thompson allowed the RBI single by Maciel in the ninth, but earned the save.