Three seventh inning runs bring Cougars back

The Kane County Cougars (59-58, 24-24) came from behind to beat the Burlington Bees (44-71, 14-32), 3-2, on Sunday afternoon at Northwestern Medicine Field.

The Bees seized momentum in the second inning with a two-run frame. A one-out walk by Spencer Griffin and a Keinner Pina single put runners at first and second for Tim Millard. The righty hit a sharp grounder to third base that went between the legs of Cougar third baseman Jose Caballero for an error. That play scored Griffin to make it 1-0 Bees. Two batters later, Avlaro Rubalcaba collected an RBI single with a broken bat flare to left.

Bees starter Michael Santos dominated for five innings, shutting out the Cougar bats. Santos scattered six hits with three strikeouts and no walks.

After surrendering two runs (one earned) in the second, Cougar starter Cole Bartlett settled in to collect a quality start. He went six innings, allowing two runs, five hits, struck out six and walked one.

The Bees turned to former Cougar Anfernee Benitez in the sixth. In his first frame, he held the Cougars scoreless. In the seventh, Ryan Grotjohn led off with a single. Ryan Dobson followed with a double to put runners at second and third for Jose Caballero. Caballero lined a ball to left, scoring both runners to tie the game. Two hitters later, Yan Sanchez laced a ball to center, scoring Caballero and pushing the Cougars in front 3-2.

Cougar reliever Carlos Hernandez (1-0) tossed two scoreless frames, earning his first Midwest League win since 2016. Luis Castillo (2) hurled a 1-2-3 ninth inning to pick up the save.

Benitez (3-3) took the loss, surrendering all three runs in 1.2 innings. Ed Del Rosario held the Cougars scoreless in 1.1 innings.

The Cougars and Bees clash on Monday night at Northwestern Medicine Field in game three of the four-game series. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.