The Kane County Cougars delivered a clinical response to an early deficit, overturning an opening-frame lead to defeat the Winnipeg Goldeyes 6-1 at Northwestern Medicine Field.
While the result favored the hosts, both American Association sides utilized the pre-season contest to exhaust their bullpens and provide much-needed live game action for their rosters.
The Goldeyes appeared poised for a productive afternoon when they jumped into an immediate lead. The game’s first batter, right fielder Noah Marcelo, reached on an error and was quickly brought home by a sacrifice fly from Bermuda born center fielder Adam Hall.
However, that opening run would prove to be the only highlight for the Winnipeg offense as the Cougars' pitching staff settled into a dominant rhythm.
The lead was short-lived. In the bottom of the first, Todd Lott leveled the score with a base hit, followed by an Alex McGarry single that drove in Matt Bottcher to push the Cougars ahead 2-1.
The definitive blow came in the fourth inning. A shallow fly ball from Sam Dexter dropped between Hall and shortstop Ramón Bramasco, allowing two runs to score. Dexter later crossed the plate himself on an Armond Upshaw single, stretching the lead to 5-1. Upshaw would eventually round out the scoring in the eighth with a two-out single to bring in his second RBI of the day.
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