Casanova, Winder Lead Kernels in Narrow Tilt

PEORIA, ILL. - A birthday blast from Trevor Casanova and a quality start from Josh Winder were not enough Saturday at Dozer Park as the Peoria Chiefs notched a 5-4 walk-off win against the Cedar Rapids Kernels. A stolen base coupled with a wild pitch allowed Delvin Perez to score the game-winning run.
The Chiefs (2-1, 32-40) opened the scoring during the first inning. Leandro Cedeno produced a sacrifice fly that brought in Brendan Donovan, and Bryce Denton followed with an RBI double to drive in Juan Yepez for a 2-0 lead.

Cedar Rapids (1-2, 40-33) posted runs in the third and fourth innings to tie the contest, 2-2. Casanova scored on Gilberto Celestino's third-inning single, but Estamy Urena was thrown out while trying to come home on the same play. Chris Williams tallied the game-tying run in the fourth after a two-out error.
Yepez's solo home run within the sixth put Peoria in front, but Casanova answered in the next frame to give Cedar Rapids a 4-3 edge. With one out and Jared Akins at second base, Casanova launched an opposite-field home run to left field that secured the first Kernels lead of the contest.
In the bottom of the seventh, the Chiefs pulled even at 4-4. Brandon Riley took off from third base on a groundball by Perez, and a missed catch error allowed Riley to level the contest without a play at the plate.
Perez pushed Peoria into the win column within the ninth inning. Perez stole third on a pitch that went to the backstop, and he kept running and beat the relay from Williams for a 5-4 Chiefs victory.
Parker Kelly (2-1) tossed two strikeouts in two scoreless frames and earned the win. Jose Martinez (4-2) gave up the decisive run and was saddled with the loss. Perez's tally also ended Martinez's team-high scoreless streak at 19 innings. Winder, who recorded his team-high seventh quality start, was in line for the win until Peoria tied the game during the seventh.
Sunday's series finale at Dozer Park is scheduled for 5:05 p.m., and Kernels right-hander Andrew Cabezas (2-5, 4.98) will pitch against Chiefs right-hander Alvaro Seijas (4-5, 3.07). Broadcast coverage with Chris Kleinhans-Schulz can be heard on 1450 KMRY AM and 93.1 KMRY FM and also online at www.kmryradio.com and www.kernels.com.
Cedar Rapids will host its next homestand Tuesday, June 25 through Monday, July 1. 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.