Cougars' Adams redefines 'big inning'

Lane Adams' second inning began with a triple and ended with a grand slam.

The second inning of the Royals' outfield prospect's first game of the season that is. Adams pair of hits and runs proved paced the nine-run frame and proved crucial as Class A Kane County held on for an 11-10 win over Quad Cities.

He stepped up with the bases loaded after the team batted around, and Robert Stock's offering over the right-field wall.

After Adams led off the second with a triple to center, Orlando Calixte reached base on a throwing error by starting pitcher Tyrell Jenkins (0-1) while Adams scored. Justin Trapp then tripled him in.

Three batters later, Robert Stock replaced Jenkins. Michael Antonio doubled in two runs and following a walk to Jorge Bonifacio that reloaded the bases, Adams delivered his grand slam.

Adams finished last season by hitting .230 in 43 games for Kane County. The 2009 13th-round pick was called up from short-season Burlington after batting .281 and getting on base at a .353 clip through 43 games.

In the bottom half of the inning, the River Bandits responded with six runs of their own. Colin Walsh smacked a two-run homer, and Tyler Rahmatulla and Luis Mateo doubled in back-to-back at-bats to spur the comeback effort.

Andrew Stueve (1-0) picked up the win despite giving up four runs -- three earned -- on six hits in 2 2/3 innings in relief of starter Aaron Brooks. Matt Ridings and Nick Graffeo combined to allow just one hit in the final 3 1/3 innings to close the door for Kane County. Each pitcher struck out two, with Graffeo earning the save.