Kane County Fast Start Sinks Lincoln

Geneva, Illinois-   Friday night at Northwestern Medicine Field, the Kane County Cougars defeated the Lincoln Saltdogs, 12-3, in American Association baseball action.  A three-run first inning sparked the Cougars, who never trailed in the game.  Kane County claimed the first game of the three-game weekend series.

Kane County (9-4) scored twelve runs, off fifteen hits, committed no errors, and stranded eight base runners.  Lincoln (4-10) had three runs, off nine hits, with no errors, and left eight runners on base.  Friday night’s game was played in three hours and fifty-three minutes, in front of 5,855 fans.

In the bottom of the first, facing Lincoln starter Trey Jones, Armond Upshaw led off with a single.  After a fielder’s choice by Josh Allen, forced out Upshaw, Matt Bottcher singled.  Two batters later, Alex McGarry did the same, to load the bases.  Then, Claudio Finol hit a double to the center field fence, scoring all three runners, to make it a 3-0 Kane County lead.

The Cougars added a run in the bottom of the third.  Matt Bottcher led off with a single.  Then, Todd Lott drew a walk.  A double-steal put runners at second and third.  Two batters later, Finol hit a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Bottcher, to make it a 4-0 Cougars lead.

Kane County’s big inning came in the bottom of the fifth.  Facing Saltdogs’ reliever Harold Cortijo, Matt Bottcher led off with a double.  Then, Todd Lott doubled, driving home Bottcher, to make it 5-0.  Alex McGarry and Claudio Finol drew back-to-back walks, to load the bases.  Charles Mack singled, scoring Lott, to make it 6-0.  Sam Dexter did the same, plating McGarry, to make it a 7-0 score.  Lincoln went to the bullpen and brought on Gabriel Jaramillo.  He induced a ground ball double play off the bat of Dave Matthews, however, Finol scored, to make it 8-0.  Then, Armond Upshaw singled, scoring Mack, to make it a 9-0 Kane County lead.

In the bottom of the seventh, the Cougars added three more runs.  Facing Lincoln reliever Jeferson Figueroa, Claudio Finol singled.  Then, Charles Mack doubled, scoring Finol, to make it 10-0.  A wild pitch advanced Mack to third.  Two batters later, Dave Matthews singled, scoring Mack, to make it 11-0.  Three batters later, Matt Bottcher hit another double, scoring Matthews, to make it a 12-0 Cougars lead.

Lincoln got on the board in the top of the eighth.  Facing Kane County reliever Justin Lange, Cael Chatham led off with a solo home run to right field, his second of the season.  Then, Cary Arbolida homered to right, his second of the year.  After the back-to-back long balls, the score was 12-2.  Two batters later, Tanner O’Tremba drew a walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch.  Two batters later, Nick Shumpert singled, scoring O’Tremba, to make the score 12-3, which would turn out to be the final.

Kane County starter Ben Kowalski (1-0) earned the win, pitching 6.0 innings, giving up five hits, struck out six, and walked one.  Graham Firoved pitched 1.0 inning, yielding one hit.  Justin Lange worked 1.0 inning, gave up three runs, off three hits, and walked one.  Jordan Martinson pitched 1.0 inning and struck out one.

Saltdogs starter Trey Jones (1-2) took the loss, after 3.0 innings, giving up four runs, off six hits, struck out one, and walked four.  Harold Cortijo pitched 1.0 inning, yielding five runs, off four hits, struck out three and walked two.  Gabriel Jaramillo worked 2.0 innings, gave up one hit, and struck out two.  Jeferson Figueroa pitched 1.0 inning, yielded three runs, off four hits, and struck out two, while walking one.  Chandler Woolridge pitched 1.0 inning and struck out two.

Offensively for the Cougars, Armond Upshaw was 3-for-4 with an RBI.  Matt Bottcher went 4-for-5 and drove in one run.  Todd Lott was 1-for-4 with an RBI.  Claudio Finol went 2-for-4 with four runs batted in.  Charles Mack was 2-for-4 and drove in two runs.  Sam Dexter was 1-for-4 with an RBI.  Dave Matthews went 1-for-3 while drive in two runs.

For Lincoln, Paul Myro was 2-for-5.  Cael Chatham was 1-for-5 with a solo home run.  Cary Arbolida was 1-fo-4 with a solo home run, as well.  Nick Shumpert was 1-for-4 with one run batted in.

On the defensive side, with the bases loaded in the bottom of the second, Lincoln turned a triple play.  Allen bounced to Chatham, who stepped on third, threw to Shumpert at second, for the second out, then to Minzey at first, to complete the round-the-horn 5-4-3 triple play.  It was the first triple play the Saltdogs had completed since 2007.

Game two of the weekend three-game series is Saturday night at Northwestern Medicine Field.  RHP Haden Erbe (0-1, 6.30 ERA) will pitch for Lincoln.  RHP Vin Timpanelli (1-1, 9.35 ERA) will be on the mound for the Cougars.  First pitch will be 6:30 p.m.  The game will be broadcast on KFOR 101.5 FM/1240 AM and video will stream at: www.aabaseball.tv.

After the weekend series, Lincoln will open a six-game homestand on Tuesday, June 2^nd, when they host the Lake Country DockHounds at 6:35 p.m., at Haymarket Park.  Tuesday’s game is TRIPLE PLAY TUESDAY! sponsored by Celerion.  Fans may donate one new stuffed animal or blanket for the BraveBe Child Advocacy Center and receive a FREE General Admission ticket.  It’s also Taco Tuesday. Fans can get two tacos for $6.  Also, they may receive $2 off popcorn, waffle cones, lemonade, and limeade.  It will also be the 25th Season 2001 throwback night.  For tickets, merchandise and more information, visit:  www.saltdogs.com.