Licon's single gives Kernels walk-off win
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Joel Licon's single in the 9th inning gave the Kernels a 3-2 walk-off win over the Quad Cities River Bandits on Sunday afternoon.
Both teams tallied runs in the 1st before stalling for a majority of the game offensively. Quad Cities got on the scoreboard first when Bobby Borchering drew a bases loaded walk with 1 out. Kernels starter Jose Berrios got out of the jam, however, inducing Roberto Pena into an inning-ended double play.
Jonathan Murphy led off the 1st with a triple in the left center field gap and later scored on a fielder's choice RBI off the bat of Adam Brett Walker.
Berrios got out of several jams throughout the game, including the double play in the 1st. The right-hander avoided trouble in the 3rd with a ground ball double play and also was able to get Danry Vasquez to fly out with the bases loaded in the 4th.
Carlos Correa's RBI single in the 9th gave the River Bandits a 2-1 advantage. Correa finished 3-for-5 and is now 7-for-10 in the series.
But the Kernels stormed back in the bottom of the 9th.
Jorge Polanco singled and Walker also singled a couple pitches later. Walker's single got underneath the glove of Quad Cities center fielder Teoscar Hernandez, rolling all the way to the warning track. Polanco scored on the play while Walker reached third base. Max Kepler was then intentionally walked, Travis Harrison struck out, and Licon hit the game-winning single down the left field line.
Berrios left after throwing 101 pitches in 6 innings. The Puerto Rico native allowed one run on five hits while walking six - a season high - and striking out three. Brandon Bixler threw a scoreless 7th, and Madison Boer (1-0) pitched the final 2 innings for the victory.
Brian Holmes threw 6 innings in the start for the River Bandits, allowing a run on two hits while walking two and striking out three. Daniel Minor then pitched two scoreless innings followed by Juan Minaya's 0.2 of an inning. Minaya (1-5) was credited with the blown save and loss.
NEXT GAME: Monday, August 5 v. Quad Cities River Bandits (Astros) - 6:35 p.m.
Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium
Cedar Rapids: RHP Christian Powell (2-4, 6.22) v. Quad Cities: LHP Josh Hader (1st Start)
Promotions: Dollar Monday! Get regular hot dogs, small popcorn, ice cream sandwiches, chips, and Cracker Jacks for just $1.00 each!
Tickets: Available at www.kernels.com or at the Kernels Ticket Office at Veterans Memorial Stadium, 319-896-7650 (Monday-Friday 10-5, Saturday 10-2)
Radio: KMRY 1450 AM/93.1 FM & www.kernels.com