Cougars lose 4-2 to Cedar Rapids

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - The Kane County Cougars (37-14, 73-46) only had a short-lived lead in Wednesday night's 4-2 loss to the Cedar Rapids Kernels (28-23, 69-52) at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Trailing the Kernels 1-0 in the third inning, the Cougars offense took advantage of a leadoff walk with RBI singles from Chuck Taylor and Henry Castillo as they took a 2-1 advantage.

Cedar Rapids retaliated in the bottom of the frame as they knocked out starter Ethan Elias (10-5). Edgar Corcino tied up the game with a run scoring single, before Elias loaded the bases with only one out. Nick Baker took the mound in relief and nearly quickly exited the inning with a potential double play ground ball. After the force out was made at second base, Dawel Lugo's throw wildly to first and allowed two runs to score for a 4-2 Cedar Rapids lead.

No team scored after the third frame as Felix Jorge (6-5) tossed seven innings of two-run baseball and stranding five Cougar runners on the bases. Jared Wilson picked up a hold with a perfect eighth, while Nick Anderson earned his second save facing the minimum in the ninth.

Baker, Jose Martinez and Chris Oliver all tossed scoreless outings out of the Cougar pen.

The Cougars and Kernels finish their series on Thursday with a rubber game. Wei-Chieh Huang (7-2, 2.04) will take the mound for the Cougars against Cedar Rapids' Ethan Mildren (4-1, 3.63). First pitch from Veterans Memorial Stadium is at 6:35 p.m.