Six-run inning sinks South Bend

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - The Kernels scored six runs in the eighth inning to sink South Bend 9-5 on Wednesday night at Four Winds Field. South Bend led by three runs early on and led 4-3 going into the eighth inning. The Kernels (35-18) have won five games in a row and take on South Bend (23-29) on Thursday night at 6:05 p.m. CT.

The Kernels brought 11 hitters to the plate and scored six runs on six hits in the eighth inning to jump in front. South Bend led 4-3 going into the eighth inning when Jorge Fernandez started the frame with a single. T.J. White took his place at first after a force out at second. The next seven batters followed by reaching safely. Pat Kelly reached on an infield single while a throwing error by third baseman Jason Vosler put runners at first and second. Alex Real's dribbler in front of the plate resulted in a RBI single, scoring White from third to tie the game 4-4. Pinch-hitter Max Murphy drew a walk to load the bases. Edgar Corcino rippled a two-run double down the right field line to score Kelly and Real and put the Kernels in front 6-4. Tanner English followed with another two-run double. His double was drilled to left and scored Murphy and Corcino, giving Cedar Rapids an 8-4 advantage. After Blake Schmit walked, Zack Larson recorded the third double of the inning when his RBI two-bagger brought in English to extend the Kernels lead to 9-4.

The 11 batters in the eighth inning set a new season-high for a single inning. The six runs and six hits both matched season-highs that came in the third inning on May 24 at Beloit.

South Bend pushed a run across in the ninth inning on Rashad Crawford's RBI double that scored Kevin Encarnacion, making the score 9-5.

Luke Bard (3-0) earned the win in relief for Cedar Rapids. He went 2 1/3 innings, allowing one run on two hits with one walk. Bard already has three wins in just five relief appearances, totaling 8 1/3 innings this season.

Felix Jorge started for the Kernels and lasted 6 2/3 innings. He allowed four runs (three earned) on seven hits while striking out four and walking two. Jorge has pitched at least six innings in eight of his nine starts this season, going at least five innings in all nine.\

The Kernels and Cubs traded single runs in the first inning. Cedar Rapids took a 1-0 lead in their half of the first on T.J. White's RBI sacrifice fly to left. It scored Blake Schmit, who was hit by a pitch earlier in the inning. In the bottom half, South Bend tied the game 1-1 without collecting a hit. Charcer Burks walked to start the inning, stole second base and reached third on an errant pickoff attempt by Kernels starter Felix Jorge. Burks scored on Andrew Ely's RBI groundout to shortstop.

Gioskar Amaya drilled a three-run home run in the second inning to put the Cubs up 4-1. Amaya's home run cleared the wall in left field and was his second of the season. It scored Yasiel Balaguert, who singled, and Kevin Encarnacion, who drew a base on balls.

The Kernels made the score 4-2 in the third inning. Tanner English reached with a bunt single to start the inning and moved to third base on Schmit's single through the middle. English came home to score when Zack Larson grounded into a double play.

Cedar Rapids added another in the sixth inning, trimming South Bend's lead to 4-3. White reached second base to begin the inning when shortstop Gleyber Torres dropped a pop up at shortstop. White went to third base on a groundout and score on a RBI sacrifice fly by Alex Real.

Ryan McNeil (0-2) suffered the loss for the Cubs after allowing two runs in 1 1/3 innings. David Garner was charged with a blown save, allowing four runs in 2/3 inning. Zach Hedges started for South Bend and allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits in six innings. Francisco Carrillo tossed a scoreless frame.

RHP Dereck Rodriguez (0-0, 0.00) makes his Midwest League debut on the hill against South Bend's RHP Trevor Clifton (1-4, 3.62) on Thursday evening at 6:05 p.m. CT.

The Kernels return home on Wednesday, June 10 to begin a nine-game home stand. Cedar Rapids hosts the Great Lakes Loons, the Midwest League affiliate of the Dodgers. It's a Free Money Wednesday, presented by Western Fraternal Life. Western Fraternal Life will give away $500 at the main gates at every Wednesday home game, with $100 being the top prize.

Tickets are available online at www.kernels.com. You can also visit the Kernels Ticket Office at Veterans Memorial Stadium or call 319-896-7560. Morgan Hawk brings you the action of all Kernels games live on KMRY Radio (93.1 FM/1450 AM) and online at www.kernels.com.