Kane County Cougars make comeback in series decider

The Kane County Cougars (28-8, 64-41) stayed undefeated in Sunday home games as they hung on for a 5-4 victory over the Cedar Rapids Kernels (21-16, 62-45).

Erasing a 3-run deficit after a rain delay, the Cougars improved to 7-0 in Sunday games played in Geneva.

Brad Keller started the contest for the Cougars and was touched for 3 runs in the second inning. The Kernels' offense combined for 4 hits in the frame, but didn't find the scoreboard again, and hardly the bases, until later in the contest.

Luke Westphal cruised in a small sample for Cedar Rapids, tossing three scoreless innings. Before the bottom of the fourth came along, severe thunderstorms threatened continuation of the game and forced a rain delay. An hour and four minutes without baseball burned both starters.

Facing reliever Randy LeBlanc (7-4), the Cougars ended a 13.2 scoreless innings streak by the Kernels' pitching staff with Ildemaro Vargas' RBI single in the fifth.

Two innings later, the Cougars sparked a big rally as they batted around and scored 4 runs to take the lead. Victor Reyes singled home Elvin Soto, who doubled, before Colin Bray's run-scoring hit tied the game 3-3. Marty Herum was the last man LeBlanc faced as the Cougars first baseman doubled deep to right for a go-ahead two-bagger. Henry Castillo added an insurance run with an RBI single off of Cam Booser. Castillo's hit ended up being the game-deciding run.

After grabbing the lead Nick Baker (8-1) was the pitcher of record and picked up the win on his 23rd birthday with three nearly perfect frames. The right-hander walked 1 batter but faced the minimum with a strikeout.

Luis Ramirez took over for Baker and served up a solo home run to Edgar Corcino that brought the Kernels within one. After a 2-out single, Mark Grudzielanek decided to go with his closer in an attempt for the 4-out save.

Zac Curtis finished off the eighth, but still kept the ninth a little dramatic. A 1-out double by Brian Navaretto brought the tying run in scoring position, but Curtis struck out Austin Diemer and induced a groundball from Rafael Valera to end the game. Curtis collected his league-leading 23rd save.

The Cougars enjoy an off-day on Monday before beginning a six-game road trip to the Eastern Division. Tuesday begins a three-game series with the South Bend Cubs before heading to West Michigan for three games against the Whitecaps.