Cougars stop Rattlers 1-0 in game one

GENEVA, IL - The Kane County Cougars scored an unearned run in the bottom of the first inning and held off the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 1-0 in game one of a doubleheader at Elfstrom Stadium on Tuesday night. Leondy Perez and Nick Rogers combined to hold the Rattlers off the scoreboard for the first time since July 9.

Kane County (54-58 overall, 26-17 second half) struck three batters into the game. Geulin Beltre singled with one out and moved around to third on an errant pickoff throw by Rattlers starting pitcher Brooks Hall. Brett Eibner followed with a double off the base of the wall in right-center to score Beltre.

Wisconsin (55-58, 17-26) had opportunities in the second and fourth innings against Perez. In the second, Wisconsin had runners at second and third with one out after singles by Jason Rogers and Chad Stang and an error. In the fourth, the Rattlers loaded the bases with one out when Rogers singled, Nick Ramirez walked, and Stang was hit by a pitch.

However, Perez escaped without a run scoring both times. Perez worked six innings, allowed four hits, hit two batters, struck out two, and walked one before turning the game over to Rogers for the top of the seventh.

The Rattlers threatened in their last at bat of game one. Greg Hopkins reached on an error with one out. He stole second to get into scoring position. Tony Pechek followed by scorching a base hit to right. But, the ball was hit too sharply and right at Beltre. Hopkins had to hold at third base.

It appeared that the squeeze was on, but the bunt was missed and Hopkins got trapped in a rundown before being tagged for the second out of the inning. Rogers got the final out with a strikeout to preserve the Kane County victory.

WP: Leondy Perez (5-11)
LP: Brooks Hall (5-4)

TIME: 1:38