Bohorquez’s Strong Showing Not Enough, Sky Carp Best Kernels 2-1

BELOIT, Wis - Adrian Bohorquez struck out a season-high seven and allowed just one run on one hit Thursday night, but the Beloit offense did just enough to outlast Cedar Rapids 2-1.

For the first time in the series, the Kernels struck first. In the top of the third, singles from Danny De Andrade and Byron Chourio put two on for Yasser Mercedes, who put Cedar Rapids in front 1-0 with a sacrifice fly.

But that was the lone run scored against Sky Carp starter Nate Payne. The left-hander posted eight strikeouts across six one-run innings en route to the win.

Cedar Rapids starter Adrian Bohorquez was just as sharp. Bohorquez allowed just one run on one hit in five innings of work with seven strikeouts.

Beloit got that run against him in the fourth. With two outs, Brian Sanchez smashed a solo home run to right to tie the game at 1-1.

The Sky Carp jumped in front in the bottom of the sixth. With two outs, singles from Cody Schrier and Starlyn Caba put two on for Sanchez, who put Beloit on top 2-1 with an RBI base hit.

The Kernels had their best chance to pull even in the top of the seventh. Three walks loaded the bases with one out, but Beloit’s Peyton Fosher picked up back-to-back strikeouts to escape the jam, and behind him, Justin Storm pitched two perfect innings in a six-out save to secure the 2-1 win.

The loss is the Kernels' third to begin the series in Beloit and drops Cedar Rapids to 44-71 on the season. The set continues Friday at 6:05. Justin Mitrovich gets the start opposite Emmett Olson.