Mitchell's hustle sparks Cougars

Jermaine Mitchell pretty much did it all offensively for the Kane County Cougars on Monday.

He not only hit the tying home run but also scored the game-winner in the Cougars' 2-1 victory over the Dayton Dragons in 10 innings at Elfstrom Stadium in Geneva.

Mitchell hit his fifth home run of the season in the eighth. In his next at-bat, he turned a single into a double with his speed in the 10th inning. Sean Doolittle provided the RBI single that allowed Mitchell to score with two outs.

"That's the way the game is supposed to be played," Cougars manager Aaron Nieckula said of Mitchell's double. "Every ball that is hit, anywhere, you are supposed to run 100 percent. That double right there ... he busted his rear out there."

Cougars starter Trevor Cahill was effective in his 7 innings. The only run he surrendered was a questionable homer in the fourth inning. The ball hit the wall but came back onto the field, and the umpires ruled it a home run.

It didn't decide the game's outcome, but it may have been the difference between Cahill getting a win instead of a no-decision. Cahill gave up 4 hits.

"That's a good-hitting team he shut down," Nieckula said of Cahill. "He kept them off balance."

Cahill was relieved by Nick Walters, who did not allow a hit and struck out six over the final three innings.