Cougars Surge Past Kernels Thursday

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - The Kane County Cougars scored seven consecutive runs Thursday to rally from an early deficit and defeat the Cedar Rapids Kernels, 7-3, at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Kane County (5-3) secured a 3-1 series victory with the come-from-behind triumph in the series finale.
In the second inning, Cedar Rapids (2-6) grabbed a 1-0 lead. Jacob Pearson reached on a one-out error, and Gabe Snyder produced a two-out single in his first Kernels at-bat. Joe Cronin followed with an RBI single that plated Pearson.

Kane County scored in three frames in a row to pick up a 6-1 advantage. Eduardo Diaz doubled in the fourth and later scored on a game-tying single from Alek Thomas. Diaz drove in Jose Herrera within the fifth to push the Cougars ahead. Kane County added four runs in the sixth with Eddie Hernandez hitting an RBI double and Tra Holmes blasting a three-run home run.
The Cougars capped their seven-run scoring streak during the eighth inning. Hernandez led off by reaching via error, and a one-out error allowed him to advance to second base. Two batters later, Diaz singled to bring Hernandez home.
Cronin highlighted the ninth inning in a late comeback attempt for the Kernels. He moved to the mound in the final frame and retired the side in order. Within the home half of the ninth, Cronin hit a leadoff double and scored on an RBI double from Michael Davis. Jean Carlos Arias closed the gap to 7-3 with a sacrifice fly, but that was the final run before Kane County claimed its victory.
Kenny Hernandez (1-0) held Cedar Rapids to two runs over five innings of relief and received credit for the victory. Jordan Balazovic (1-1) took the loss for the Kernels. Balazovic allowed two runs in 4.2 innings pitched and also tallied a game-high nine strikeouts.
This seven-game Kernels homestand continues Friday evening at 6:35 p.m. with the opener of a three-game series against the Burlington Bees. Cedar Rapids right-hander Cole Sands (0-0, 0.00) and Burlington right-hander Jake Lee (1-0, 0.00) are the probable pitchers for Friday's contest. Live coverage will be broadcast on 1450 KMRY AM and 93.1 KMRY FM and also online at www.kmryradio.com, www.kernels.com, and MiLB.TV.
Kernels Friday Mug Club Night, presented by Stadium Bar & Grill, Shuey's Restaurant & Lounge, Mr. B's, Mulligan's Pub, and Z102.9, includes a special offer to get a 16 oz. mug of regular draft beer or soda for $6.00 and use that same mug for $3.00 refills at any Kernels Friday home game. Mediacom MC22 will cover the game and broadcast it later this week via tape delay.
Fans can purchase tickets for all Cedar Rapids Kernels home games by visiting www.kernels.com, going to the Kernels Ticket Office, or calling (319) 896-7560. The Kernels Ticket Office is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturdays. On Sundays when the Kernels have a home game, the Kernels Ticket Office will open at 11:00 a.m.