Cougars Surge Past Kernels, 9-2

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - A seven-run, tie-breaking rally in the seventh inning Saturday was the difference in a 9-2 Kane County Cougars victory against the Cedar Rapids Kernels at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium. The Cougars scored nine unanswered runs to win the contest and grab a 2-0 lead in this three-game set. Cedar Rapids' bright spot came from Royce Lewis, who went 4-of-4 with a career-high-tying four singles.
Saturday's game was tied, 2-2, before the Cougars' big outburst during the top of the seventh. Eudy Ramos opened the rally with an RBI single, and Ernie De La Trinidad grounded into an error to drive in another run. Joey Rose added a two-run single prior to Renae Martinez's two-run double. Ryan Grotjohn capped the rally with an RBI single for a 9-2 edge.

Early in the contest, Lewis helped Cedar Rapids (6-3) build a 2-0 advantage. Lewis hit a one-out single in the first inning and came home on an RBI double from Alex Kirilloff. Within the third, Lewis picked up a single and a stolen base before scoring via error.
Kane County (8-5) answered in the fifth with two runs to tie the contest. A two-out single by William Gorman drove in Grotjohn, and an error on the next play allowed Yoel Yanqui to score and pull the Cougars even, 2-2. Those tallies would kick of the scoring in the nine-run stretch that carried Kane County to the 9-2 triumph.
Carlos Bustamante (1-0) pitched two scoreless innings of relief for the Cougars and earned the victory. Jose Martinez (0-1) conceded seven runs - five earned - and was tagged with the loss.
This seven-game homestand continues Sunday afternoon with the finale of the three-game series between Cedar Rapids and Kane County. Sunday's tilt is slated for 2:05 p.m. and will also be broadcast on 1450 KMRY AM and 93.1 KMRY FM and also online at www.kmryradio.com, www.kernels.com, and MiLB.TV.
The first 500 fans through the gates Sunday will receive a free 2018 Kernels Team Photo presented by Copyworks. All kids aged 12 and under can participate in a pregame, on-field Candy Hunt at 1:15 p.m. and will also get a voucher for a free hot dog, popcorn, and Capri Sun for Western Fraternal Life Kids Eat Free Sunday. Fans can run the bases, play catch in the outfield, and get autographs from the Kernels after the game thanks to Prairie Farms and 104.5 KDAT. Sunday's action will also include Travel Advisors Baseball Bingo, Face Painting by Kennedy, and Papa Balloon.
Fans can purchase tickets for all Cedar Rapids home games by visiting www.kernels.com, going to the Kernels Ticket Office, or calling (319) 896-7560. The Kernels Ticket Office is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. On Sundays when the Kernels have a home game, the Kernels Ticket Office will open at 11:00 a.m.