Johnson Sharp in Cougars Win

PEORIA, Ill. - Pierce Johnson struck out eight over 6.2 innings and posted both of the victories for the Kane County Cougars on their seven-game road trip which finished with an 8-1 win over the Peoria Chiefs on Friday night at Dozer Park. 

Johnson (3-3) fanned four of the first five hitters he faced and ended up with six strikeouts looking in the contest. Between his two starts on the road trip, Johnson punched out 17 hitters in 12.2 innings. He only surrendered a run on six hits in the contest while walking a pair.

Johnson was handed the lead in the top of the fourth. Dan Vogelbach started the frame by reaching on an error from first baseman Patrick Wisdom. Jeimer Candelario singled in front of a Rock Shoulders walk to load the bases. Yaniel Cabezas unloaded them by tripling into the right field corner, bringing home all three baserunners. David Bote finished the rally by singling home Cabezas, and the Cougars (21-24) were ahead, 4-0.

Peoria (23-22) got one run back in the bottom of the fourth as Ildemaro Vargas and Jacob Wilson singled to start the inning. Two batters later, Michael Swinson walked to fill the bases while Carson Kelly's sac fly drew home Vargas. Nick Martini fouled out, however, to keep the Chiefs from getting closer. 

In the seventh, the Cougars broke the game open against reliever Joe Scanio. Pin-Chieh Chen and Albert Almora reached on consecutive singles while Vogelbach walked to load the bags. Shoulders drew a walk to bring home Chen, making it 5-1. Marco Hernandez singled in Almora while Vogelbach scored on a wild pitch. David Bote's groundout to short finished the scoring as Shoulders crossed the dish.

The Cougars return to Fifth Third Bank Ballpark on Saturday to battle the Beloit Snappers in a doubleheader, starting at 3:30 p.m. Right-hander Jose Rosario (0-0) will start for the Cougars in game one while lefty Brian Smith (2-1) pitches the nightcap. For tickets, please call (630) 232-8811 or visit www.kccougars.com.