Cougars literally walk off with win
Kane County fell behind for the third game in a row against Cedar Rapids, but this time the Cougars battled back to pick up a 3-2 victory over the Kernels in 10 innings Sunday at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark in Geneva.
In the Cougars’ 10th inning, Tyler Jones (3-2) gave up a one-out double to Albert Almora. After Dan Vogelbach was intentionally walked, Meimer Candelario singled to load the bases. Rock Shoulders drew a walk to force home Almora with the winning run.
The Kernels’ Tyler Grimes led off the third inning with a single and took second on a hit from Michael Quesada. Three batters later, Niko Goodrum put the Kernels (35-20) on top with a 2-run single that scored Grimes and Quesada. Goodrum tried to score on Jorge Polanco’s hit but was thrown out at home on a nasty collision that sent Goodrum to the hospital.
In the bottom of the third, Vogelbach put the Cougars (25-29) on the board with his eighth home run of the season. In the sixth, Vogelbach reached on a double, took third on a flyout and scored on a wild pitch from Hudson Boyd.
Boyd worked 6 innings, allowing 6 hits with 6 strikeouts.
Cougars starter Michael Heesch pitched 6 innings with 4 strikeouts.
Stephen Perakslis replaced Heesch and kept the Kernels off the board for 3 innings. Winning pitcher Eddie Orozco (3-3) tossed a perfect 10th.
The Cougars and Kernels wrap up their four-game series today at 6:30 p.m. Right-hander Dillon Maples (0-1) will start for the Cougars against lefty Mason Melotakis (4-2).