Rodriguez Lifts Kernels to 3-2 Victory

GENEVA, ILL. - A ninth-inning sacrifice fly from Ben Rodriguez was the difference Monday at Northwestern Medicine Field as the Cedar Rapids Kernels defeated the Kane County Cougars, 3-2. Cedar Rapids (20-19) also grabbed a 1-0 advantage in this four-game series with Monday's triumph over Kane County (20-20).
Rodriguez broke a late 2-2 tie by driving in Jose Miranda in the top of the ninth. Miranda led off with a walk and advanced to third base on a single by Ben Rortvedt, who was thrown out trying to reach second base on the play. Rodriguez followed with a deep fly ball to center field for a sacrifice fly that drove in Miranda for a 3-2 Kernels lead.

Jared Finkel (2-1) kept the Cougars from plating the game-tying run during the bottom of the ninth. With runners in scoring position and one out, Finkel fielded a groundball from Ernie De La Trinidad and tossed the ball to Rortvedt for a tag on Gabriel Maciel at home plate to protect Cedar Rapids' lead. Renae Martinez batted next and struck out swinging to end the contest.
Kane County opened the scoring in Monday's close contest. De La Trinidad launched a two-out solo home run to right field within the first inning to give the Cougars a 1-0 edge.
The Kernels answered in the third by surging in front, 2-1. Royce Lewis hit a game-tying sacrifice fly that brought in Jordan Gore, and Alex Kirilloff added a two-out RBI single to bring in Jean Carlos Arias from second base.
The Cougars threatened multiple times over the next several innings but did not pull even until the eighth. Martinez opened the frame with a solo homer to left field that tied the contest at 2-2.
Finkel was charged with a blown save for allowing Martinez's round-tripper but also picked up the victory Monday. Erbert Gonzalez (1-1) gave up Rodriguez's tie-breaking sacrifice fly and took the loss.
Game two of this four-game series is slated for Tuesday at Noon. Kernels left-hander Tyler Watson (2-2, 2.63) and Cougars right-hander Jeff Bain (2-1, 2.31) are the probable pitchers. Chris Kleinhans-Schulz will have the call of Tuesday's game online at www.kmryradio.com and www.kernels.com.
Cedar Rapids' next homestand starts Friday, May 25 and consists of nine games including two doubleheaders. 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.