Sky Carp squander late lead in series finale

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA - Beloit couldn’t hang onto a late lead and fell short in a comeback attempt against Cedar Rapids and dropped the series finale 4-3 on Sunday afternoon at Perfect Game Field.

The Kernels struck first on an Aaron Sabato solo homer in the first, but afterwards, Sky Carp starter Luis Palacios was dialed.

The southpaw kept Cedar Rapids off the scoreboard for the rest of his five-inning, 53-pitch outing that kept Beloit in striking distance.

In the top of the fifth, the Sky Carp tied it up thanks to a leadoff triple from Ynmanol Marinez and a Zach Zubia sac-fly.

In the top of the sixth, Beloit pulled in front thanks to an RBI knock from Marinez. Then, Victor Mesa Jr. scored on a wild pitch to push the lead to 3-1.

However, Federico Polanco struck out looking with the bases loaded to end the inning – a play that would come back to haunt Beloit.

With newcomer Caleb Wurster in the game, the Kernels got a run back on a Kyler Fedko RBI knock in the bottom of the sixth.

With Beloit clinging to a 3-2 lead, Chris Mokma came on for the bottom of the seventh inning. On the third pitch he threw, Mokma allowed a no-doubt solo homer to Will Holland that tied the game.

Then, two batters later, Alerick Soularie ripped an RBI double that put the Kernels in front 4-3.

After neither team scored in the eighth, the Sky Carp threatened in the ninth. Kyler Castillo lined a lead-off single to start the frame, then Polanco ripped a double into the left field corner to put the tying run on third and the go-ahead run on second base.

Kernels closer Derek Molina then struck out Tevin Mitchell and intentionally walked Jose Salas to load the bases for Dalvy Rosario with one out.

The tactic worked to perfection, as Rosario rolled into a game-ending double play.

Despite the loss, Beloit takes the series four games to two and heads back to ABC Supply Stadium four games behind the first-place South Bend Cubs in the second-half standings.

The Sky Carp open a six-game home stand with the West Michigan Whitecaps, the first-place team in the Midwest League East, on Tuesday night at 6:35. Tickets are available at the box office, or online at SkyCarp.com.