Kane County scores two in the 9th inning to edge Kernels 5-4
Gerard Hall tripled in the tying run and Alex Llanos singled in the go-ahead run for Kane County off of Kernels reliever Justin La Tempa. La Tempa (1-2) picked up his second loss of the season in relief of starter Daniel Tillman, throwing 3.2 innings and allowing five hits and two earned runs.
Tillman tossed five innings and allowed no earned runs. He struck out two and walked two.
Cougars starting pitcher Jason Adam tossed 4.1 innings in his professional debut, allowing five hits and three earned runs. Reliever Chase Boruff (3-1) picked up his third victory of the 2011 campaign, throwing three innings of one-hit baseball and striking out three batters.
Tuesday's win was the first for Kane County in seven tries against Cedar Rapids this season. The Kernels jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the third inning. Travis Witherspoon singled to score Rolando Gomez, and Carlos Ramirez singled to score Witherspoon.
Kane County answered with a single run in the 4th inning. Alex Llanos singled and reached second base on a throwing error by Kernels shortstop Rolando Gomez. Llanos scored on a RBI single by Ryan Jenkins to cut the Kernels lead to 2-1.
The Kernels scored once in the bottom of the 4th inning. Gomez singled home Dan Eichelberger to extend the Kernels lead to 3-1.
Kane County plated two in the 6th inning to tie the game 3-3. Steven Caseres scored on a sacrifice fly by Lane Adams. Murray Watts singled home Ryan Stovall.
The Kernels took the lead in the bottom of the 6th inning. Gomez singled home Wes Hatton to give the Kernels a 4-3 lead.
The Kernels couldn't seem to get a clutch hit to add any insurance runs. The Kernels stranded eight runners on base and were 4-for-15 with runners in scoring position.
Shortstop Rolando Gomez recorded two hits and knocked in a pair of runs in his 2011 Kernels debut, and Carlos Ramirez also added two hits and an RBI. Centerfielder Travis Witherspoon reached base four times and stole three bases.
Cedar Rapids will look to snap its eight game skid when it hosts Kane County in the second game of the three-game series Wednesday at 6:35 p.m. at Perfect Game Field.
Morgan Hawk brings you the action on the radio home of Kernels baseball, 1450 KMRY AM. Fans may also listen online at www.kmryradio.com or www.kernels.com.
Tickets are available online at www.kernels.com or by calling the Kernels Ticket 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.