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Cougars strand 11 in loss to Chiefs

The Kane County Cougars (56-58, 21-24) stranded 11 base runners in a 4-1 loss to the Peoria Chiefs (67-47, 28-15) on Thursday night at Northwestern Medicine Field.

The Chiefs jumped in front in the top of the second. J.R. Davis led off with a single, advanced to second on a hit-by-pitch and moved to third on a wild pitch. Davis scored on a 4-3 double play to make it 1-0 Chiefs.

In the top of the sixth, the Chiefs earned some breathing room. Back-to-back singles by Zach Kirtley and Yariel Gonzalez began the frame. Luken Baker hit a ground ball to third base. Cougar infielder Eudy Ramos threw the ball into right field, scoring Kirtley from second base. The next batter, J.R. Davis, lined a single in to center to make it 3-0 Peoria. A wild pitch scored Baker from third with one out to complete the three-run rally.

The Cougars threatened in three straight innings, but failed to score. In the fifth they had runners at first and second with none out. In the sixth, they loaded the bases with two outs and didn't produce. In the seventh, the bases were juiced with no one out, but three straight batters were set down.

In the eighth, the Cougars broke through on Tra Holmes' RBI double.

Cougar starter Franklyn Soriano (0-2) suffered the loss, allowing four runs (three earned) in five innings. Tyler Keele inherited three runners in the sixth and all scored, but all three were charged to Soriano. Keele retired the final 10 he faced, finishing his outing with four shutout innings.

Peoria right-hander Johan Oviedo (9-7) earned the with 5.2 innings of shutout ball. Kodi Whitley hurled 1.1 innings of no-run ball. Fabian Blanco allowed Holmes' double. C.J Saylor worked around a lead-off walk in the ninth to earn his second save.

The Cougars and Chiefs play the finale of the three-game set on Friday night at Northwestern Medicine Field. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Fans will be treated to fireworks and can run the bases post-game.

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