Kernels Comeback Effort Falls Short in 7-6 Loss to South Bend

South Bend, IN - Trailing by three runs in the ninth inning, Cedar Rapids cut the deficit to one run, but an out on the bases ended the game, and the Kernels' rally came up short in a 7-6 loss Wednesday afternoon.

After scoring a season-high 16 runs in game one of the series, it didn't take long for Cedar Rapids to hop on the board first in game two. To lead off the game, Luke Keaschall crushed a solo home run to left to put the Kernels on the board first 1-0.

The lead did not last long. In the bottom of the first inning, a single and two hit-by-pitches loaded the bases for Felix Stevens, who crushed a grand slam to left field to give the Cubs the lead 4-1.

That was the score until the top of the third inning. On the first pitch of the frame, Kenoi Cavaco smashed a home run the opposite way to cut the Cubs lead down to 4-2.

In the bottom of the third, the Cubs respond again. A double and a walk put two runners on to begin the inning. After a groundout moved them both into scoring position, they scored on a sacrifice fly and a balk to open the lead to 6-2.

Cedar Rapids rallied in the fourth to get those runs back. A hit by pitch and two walks loaded the bases with no one out. The next two batters, Willie Joe Garry and Cavaco both produced RBI groundouts to cut the deficit back down to two runs at 6-4.

In the bottom of the sixth, a one-out single and a groundout moved Reivaj Garcia into scoring position with two outs for Pedro Ramirez who put the Cubs back up by three with an RBI single.

In the top of the ninth, trailing 7-4, Garry lead off the inning but crushing a solo homer to right field to cut the deficit to 7-5. The next batter, Cavaco, then doubled and a walk put the tying run on base with no one out in the inning. With still no one out, a double play got the Cubs the first two outs in the frame. With Cavaco still on third, Rubel Cespedes walked to put runners on the corners with two outs. The next batter, Danny De Andrade, dropped in an RBI single, scoring Cavaco, but Cespedes was tagged out trying to make it first to third on the play for the final out of the game as the Cubs hung on to win 7-6.

The loss snaps Cedar Rapids' six-game winning streak and drops the Kernels to 16-12 on the season. Game three of the series is set for tomorrow at 6:05, with Andrew Morris on the mound opposite Tyler Santana.