Kane County Cougars routed by Kernels
Back at their home park for the first time in over a week, the Kane County Cougars (11-21, 44-58) dropped Game 1 of a three-game set against the Cedar Rapids Kernels (19-13, 55-46) by a 10-2 final.
Marred by walks and an inability to retire the Kernels in run-scoring situations, the Cougars allowed 11 hits on a season-high 10 walks. Five different pitchers took the mound for the Cougars, who entered the game with the lowest team ERA (3.20) in the Midwest League.
The Cougars opened up the homestand with a 1-0 lead after the first frame. With Austin Byler in scoring position, Frank Christy's two-out single got the job done. Christy was coming off a series in Lansing in which he had 5 hits and a home run.
The Cougars lead lasted for half an inning, as the Kernels posted a 4-run rally in the top half of the second inning.
Against right-hander Sam McWilliams (1-3), the Kernels loaded the bases with no outs on three straight singles. But with the bases loaded, McWilliams got two quick outs with a chance to leave the inning unscathed. But with two men out, Christian Cavaness ripped a bases-clearing triple and scored on a throwing error from Joey Armstrong in right field. In one play, the Kernels stormed out to a 4-1 go-ahead lead.
The second inning paved the way for a short start for McWilliams. He tossed 5 innings on 8 hits and 5 runs, four earned with just two strikeouts and one walk. It was the most runs allowed for McWilliams in his eighth start of 2016.
The Kernels extended their lead with help in the sixth and seventh from Nelson Molina, Chris Ibarra, and Zander Wiel who all posted RBIs. The Kernels posted three more tallies in the eighth drawing 5 walks in the inning. Two runs scored on bases-loaded free passes, while Chris Ibarra contributed his second RBI with a single.
Scoring for the first time since the opening frame, Christy energized the Cougars offense once again in the eighth. His opposite field single to left scored a run, marking his fourth RBI in as many contests.
Logging his fourth straight quality outing, Dereck Rodriguez (3-11) claimed the win as McWilliams suffered the loss.
On the mound Thursday, Cougars' right-hander Max Duval (0-2) duels fellow righty Sam Gibbons (4-3). Game 2 at 6:30 p.m. in Geneva.