Fox Sharp for Cougars But Team Shutdown by Goldeyes
GENEVA, Ill. – The Kane County Atomic Pork Chops (37-42) had one of their better performances on the mound Saturday night at Northwestern Medicine Field, but the Winnipeg Goldeyes (40-37) edged them only allowing three hits. Winnipeg took the second straight two-run victory of the series with a 2-0 win.
Pork Chop starter Jack Fox (2-5) needed a bounce back outing after a couple of rough starts and he produced. Fox stranded five Goldeyes on the bases in the first four innings before Winnipeg grabbed the first run of the night on Max Murphy’s RBI single to plate Tyler Hill. Winnipeg doubled its lead in the 6th with Deon Stafford’s RBI single to score Kevin LaChance. No other runs would come home the rest of the night. Fox earned his third quality start of the season, despite the loss.
The Pork Chops found plenty of trouble with Winnipeg’s starter Landedn Bourassa (3-0). Most of their offense came in the first four innings, but they stranded four runners on. From the 4th inning to the 9th, Bourassa, Austin Henrich, Travis Seabrook and Christian James retired 14 straight Pork Chops.
Gavin LaValley blooped a one-out single in the 9th to bring the tying run up to the plate, but Kacy Clemens grounded into a 6-4-3 double play to end the game. Henrich and Seabrook each earned a hold. James earned his first save of the year.
The Cougars have never been swept in a three-game series this year. Sunday afternoon they’ll look to continue that trend. Connor Berry (2-0, 3.45) takes the mound for the Cougars against Winnipeg’s Jorge Gonzalez (3-4, 6.01). First pitch from Northwestern Medicine Field is at 1:00 p.m. For tickets call 630-232-8811 or visit kccougars.com.
By Joe Brand, Kane County Cougars