Midwest League: Cougars prepare for homestand
From Staff Reports July 3, 2012 6:16PM
Julio Aparicio and the Kane County Cougars return home Wednesday night for a three-game homestand in Geneva. | Donnell Collins~For Sun-Times Media
Updated: August 5, 2012 6:33AM
The Kane County Cougars open a three-game homestand tonight against the Quad Cities River Bandits, an affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals.
The homestand includes an entertainment-filled Independence Day celebration, Facebook Night on Thursday, and Military Appreciation Night on Friday.
The Cougars have gotten off to a strong start in the season’s second half with a record of 8-4, and an overall mark of 42-40. The team has seen a handful of new players arrive at Kane County this half, including starting pitcher Kyle Smith.
Smith, a fourth-round choice of the Royals in 2011, has made two starts and has yet to yield an earned run in nine innings of work. Last week, Smith received Pioneer League and Midwest League Pitcher of the Week honors for his first professional start at Idaho Falls, as well as his Cougars debut on June 24 at Clinton.
Outfielder Jorge Bonifacio is tied with Lansing’s Kevin Pillar for the Midwest League lead in hits with 94. At this pace, Bonifacio will set the franchise single-season record for hits, held by Willy Hill (162 hits in 1999).
Outfielder Julio Aparicio is batting .375 in his last 10 games.
Pitcher Angel Baez, after entering this season with a winless professional record in the Royals’ system, is 3-2 with a 2.52 ERA in seven appearances.
Pitcher Andrew Triggs, the first member of the Royals’ 2012 draft class to land at Kane County, has made two relief appearances with seven innings of scoreless work.
The Cougars will light up the skies for three straight nights with post-game fireworks shows. Cougars fans can also take part in a pre-game autograph session with the team, who will wear commemorative patriotic jerseys.
The Thursday game is Facebook Night, as Cougars Facebook fans have voted on a series of events that have formed part of the game. Fans have voted on a Popular Music-themed fireworks show, as well as having Cougars players wear patriotic jerseys that evening.
The Cougars will be honoring all active duty and veteran military personnel at Friday’s game. Active duty military receive free admission for themselves along with family members. Veterans can also receive free tickets for that evening’s game by registering at www.vettix.org. All active duty and veterans are invited onto the field for a pre-game parade at 5:50 p.m.
Tickets are available for each game on the upcoming homestand by calling 630-232-8811 or visiting www.kccougars.com.
