Baker sharp in rehab start for Cougars

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — A pair of home runs backed Scott Baker’s best rehab start as the Kane County Cougars defeated the Cedar Rapids Kernels 9-1 to snap a three-game losing streak Wednesday at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

After Trevor Gretzky and Gioskar Amaya singled, Jeimer Candelario ripped a 3-run homer with two outs in the third inning for the Cougars (23-41, 53-77). In the fourth, Carlos Escobar hit a 2-run shot.

Baker (1-2) retired the first 13 Kernels he faced and allowed 1 hit over 5 shutout innings with 2 strikeouts and no walks.

Starter and loser Jose Berrios (7-7) worked 5 innings, allowing 5 runs and 5 hits.

In the seventh, the Cougars tacked on 2 more runs thanks to RBI singles from Willson Contreras and Jose Dore with two outs.

The Cougars continue their final road series of the year with the second of a three-game set against the Kernels today 6:35 p.m.