Down on the Farm: Kane County Cougars win again, 2-1

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Mar 7, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs center fielder

Albert Almora

(78) scores a run in the ninth inning of a spring training game against the Los Angeles Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium. The Cubs won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

What’s going on fellow Chicago Cubs fans? The weather has been crazy in the Midwest, but at least the league makes it up to us. Now three out of the five Minor League affiliates for the Cubs were supposed to take the field today.

The Iowa Cubs were postponed yet again because of the weather, but the make-up date for today’s game has not been announced yet. So that only leaves us with the Kane County Cougars and the Daytona Cubs while the Tennessee Smokies were enjoying themselves an off-day.

Let’s get down to business and begin with the red hot Cougars.

Batters were able to put hits together, but no one was able to push a run across the plate until the bottom of the fourth inning.

Starting pitcher Ryan Skulina was the man who took the mound for the Cougars today. Skulina was charged with that earned run during the bottom of the fourth as he allowed the Cedar Rapids Kernels to take a 1-0 lead. He would work through five innings, issue one walk and strike out two before he was pulled and replaced by Nathan Dorris.

Dorris would work through only two innings, allowing the Kernels to pick up two hits but was able to strike out two as well. The Cougars would tie the game during the top of the sixth inning thanks to a ground out by outfielder Yasiel Balaguert to make it 1-1. Jacob Hannemann would help the Cougars take a one run lead during the top of the seventh on a bunt single.

Right-hander Zack Godley would come in to replace Dorris and work the final two innings of the game. He would give up only one hit but strike out five batters to shut down the Kernels in the ninth.

Winning pitcher is Nathan Dorris (3-1, 1.29 ERA), losing pitcher is Brandon Bixler (1-1, 0.73 ERA) with the save being awarded to Zack Godley (5).

Final Score: Cougars 2, Kernels 1.

Kane County Cougars improve to 18-7 on the year.

Last but not least we have the Daytona Cubs who are trying to fight their way to .500 on the year.

All they needed to do was take it game by game, but they need to win. Today they took on the Lakeland Flying Tigers and boy oh boy, their pitchers brought their A-game today.

The Daytona Cubs were only able to pick up two hits during the entire contest, while the Flying Tigers were able to put together 10 while scoring seven runs in the shutout. Pitcher Ben Wells was the man who would take the mound first but would only make it through two innings of work. Wells gave up three hits and three earned runs, issued four walks but struck out three. Starling Peralta replaced Wells after two innings but wasn’t able to stop Lakeland from stringing together some hits.

He would also be charged with three earned runs off four hits, giving up the only home run of the ball game to Lance Durham during the bottom of the fourth. This home run by Durham made it 4-0. Durham would actually pick up three RBI’s on the night.

Dan Vogelbach and Marco Hernandez would be the only Cubs who would pick up hits tonight. Top outfield prospect Albert Almora would go hit-less, as he finished the game 0-4.

Winning pitcher tonight would be Edgar De La Rosa (1-3, 1.91 ERA), losing pitcher is Ben Wells (1-2, 4.35 ERA).

Final Score: Flying Tigers 7, Cubs 0.

Daytona Cubs fall to 9-16 on the season.

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