Down on the Farm: Cougars only winners on Opening Night

Kane County Cougars vs Quad Cities River Bandits (Houston Astros Class-A):

Kane County traveled to Davenport, Iowa to take on the Quad Cities River Bandits to open up their 2014 season. Kane County got off to a quick start, scoring two runs to open up the game. Yasiel Balaguert recorded Kane County’s first run of the season on an RBI double to right field. Jacob Rogers would later ground into a force out to Conrad Gregor to make it 2-0. QC came back during the bottom half of the inning, as James Ramsay came around to score on a ground out by Conrad Gregor.

The Cougars would make it a 5-1 game during the top half of the very next inning, as Carlos Penalver, Danny Lockhart and Ben Carhart all picked up RBIs. The River Bandits would respond with three of their own during the bottom of the third inning. Chase McDonald would pick up an RBI double to right field, driving in Brett Phillips. Austin Elkins would later drive in McDonald and Jon Kemmer after recording a triple to right field to make it a 5-4 game.

Kane County would pick up a run in the top of the fourth on a throwing error by River Bandits catcher Jobduan Morales making it a 6-4 game. Moving onto the top of the seventh inning, Jordan Hankins would extend the lead to 7-4 on a sacrifice fly. Yasiel Balaguert would record the final run of the game, which seems fitting considering he plated the first RBI of the game, as well. Balaguert picked up another RBI double but this time to center field to make it 8-4 Kane County.

Starting pitcher Paul Blackburn made it through four innings of work as he was charged with four runs off nine hits and three strikeouts. He’ll enter his next start of the season with a 9.00 ERA.

Picking up the win last night for the Cougars is Nathan Dorris. Dorris entered the game after Blackburn was pulled and pitched two scoreless innings while picking up two strikeouts. Losing pitcher is Andrew Thurman, who was hammered for six runs, five of them earned. He’ll enter his next start 0-1 on the year with a 11.25 ERA.

Final Score: Kane County 8, Quad Cities 4.