Kernels score 4 runs in 9th inning to win 5-3 thriller at Quad Cities

DAVENPORT, Iowa -The Kernels scored four runs with two outs in the 9th inning to come from behind and top Quad Cities 5-3 at Modern Woodmen Park on Monday night. With two outs, the Kernels took advantage of two River Bandits errors before Kaleb Cowart's bases clearing triple gave the Kernels the lead.

Quad Cities led 3-1 in the 9th inning with their closer Heath Wyatt on the hill. Wyatt recorded two quick outs before hitting Kernels catcher Carlos Lugo. Pinch-hitter Ryan Jones then singled to put two men on. Kevin Moesquit then grounded to third. The throw to first by Bandits third baseman Garrett Wittels was off target, and Moesquit squeaked safely past the swipe tag attempt by first baseman Roberto De La Cruz. With the bases loaded, Trevor Hairgrove grounded to Wittels at third. The throw from Wittels pulled De La Cruz off the bag, and Hairgrove was called safe at first. Lugo scored on the play and cut the Bandits lead to 3-2. Kaleb Cowart came up with the bases loaded and laced a bases clearing, 3-RBI triple to left center to give the Kernels a 5-3 lead.

Joe Melioris came to the mound in the bottom of the 9th inning and picked up his 1st save, allowing no runs and no hits.

Heath Wyatt (0-2) took the loss for Quad Cities and was charged with his 3rd blown save. He went one inning and allowed four unearned runs on two hits while striking out one and walking none.

Carmine Giardina (2-3) picked up the win in relief for the Kernels, going one inning and allowing no runs and no hits while striking out one and walking one. Frank De Jiulio pitched two scoreless innings in relief, allowing no runs on one hit while striking out three and walking one.

Quad Cities plated two runs in the 2nd inning and took an early 2-0 lead against Kernels starter Eswarlin Jimenez. Colin Walsh led off with a double and went to 3rd base on a single by Juan Castillo. Roberto De La Cruz's RBI single scored Walsh to give the Bandits the first lead of the night. Two batters later, Luis Mateo's RBI double to deep left center plated Castillo and gave Quad Cities a two run lead.

The River Bandits added one more run in the 6th inning, pushing the Quad Cities lead to 3-0. Tyler Rahmatulla and Colin Walsh led off with back to back singles to put runners at 1st and 2nd base. Anthony Garcia followed with a 3rd straight hit to open the frame with a RBI single to left center. This scored Rahmatulla and gave the Bandits a three run advantage.

Eswarlin Jimenez went five-plus innings and allowed three runs on nine hits. He struck out two and walked one.

The Kernels scored a run in the 7th inning, cutting the Bandits lead to 3-1. Kevin Moesquit's 2-out RBI double that split the gap into right center scored Wendell Soto.

Jonathan Cornelius started for the Bandits and went six scoreless innings while allowing five hits. He struck out seven and walked one. Ethan Cole pitched two innings and allowed one run on two hits while striking out one and walking none.

The Kernels conclude the road trip and the series at Modern Woodmen Park in Davenport vs. Quad Cities on Tuesday evening at 7:00 p.m. The Kernels return home Wednesday evening at 6:35 p.m. vs. Kane County.

Morgan Hawk brings you the action on the radio home of Kernels baseball, KMRY. Listen at 1450 AM or 93.1 FM, as well as www.kernels.com and www.kmryradio.com.

Tickets are available online at www.kernels.com or by calling the Kernels box office at 896-7560. Ticket office hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.