Kane County Cougars pound Kernels

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — The playoff-bound Kane County Cougars exploded for 9 runs in the sixth inning Friday night en route to a 9-1 victory over the Cedar Rapids Kernels at Veterans Memorial Stadium. The Cougars, who hold the wild-card spot, have three home games left against Clinton, whom they trail by 1½ games for the top playoff berth.

In the big sixth, the Cougars sent 14 batters to the plate. Yowill Espinal nailed a 2-run single and Geulin Beltre (4-for-5) drilled a bases-loaded double to drive in 3 runs. Brian Fletcher and Juan Graterol chipped in RBI singles, and Espinal drove in 2 more with another single. Espinal’s 4 RBI were a career high.

Winning pitcher Yordano Ventura (4-6) workd 5 innings, allowing 4 hits in his fourth straight outing of 5-plus innings. Alex Rivers and Chase Boruff each worked 2 scoreless relief innings.