Kernals thrash Cougars 11-5
Cedar Rapids, Iowa - Despite an early 2-0 lead, the Cougars (27-30) fell in the series opener against the Cedar Rapids Kernels (32-25) by an 11-5 final. The Cougars are now five games behind Cedar Rapids at the top of the Western Division standings.
Pitted against Midwest League All-Star, left-hander Sam Clay (4-2), the Cougars started off this critical series with 2 runs in the second inning. Leading off the frame with a single, Grant Heyman scored on an RBI double. With two outs, Matt McPhearson then drove in a run on an infield RBI base hit and the Cougars led the first-place Kernels, 2-0.
In the third inning, the Kernels cut the deficit in half on an RBI from shortstop Sean Miller.
Jermaine Palacios led a go-ahead fourth inning, driving Tyler Mark (0-5) out of the ballgame after he allowed an RBI single to Daniel Kihle.
Right-hander Austin Mason then made his Cougars debut. With two on base, Palacios slugged a triple to right field to open up the first Kernels lead. The scoring continued with a follow up RBI double for Luis Arraez and the Kernels led 5-2 after four innings.
Cougars Galli Cribbs hit a 2-run RBI triple in the sixth. The Cougars loaded the bases sending Clay out of the game as Williams Ramirez (0-0) took the mound for the Kernels. Ramirez forced a double play after Fernery Ozuna hit a soft liner to second, and Joe Munoz was doubled off at the bag. But Cribbs saved the day steering his second triple of the season to right field to shave the Kernels' lead to a run, 5-4.
But Cedar Rapids had an answer again, scoring 4 runs in the seventh inning. All of the runs were unearned off Cougars' left-hander Junior Garcia (2-3). The big inning was highlighted by a Zander Wiel 2-run homer.
Cedar Rapids added 2 more runs to plate 11, tying a season high allowed for Cougars pitchers. It was the most runs surrendered by the Cougars pitching staff since May 1.
Tyler Mark took the loss for the Cougars and Sam Clay got the win for Cedar Rapids.
Wednesday's game begins at 6:35 p.m. featuring Carlos Hernandez (3-4, 3.30 ERA) against Fernando Romero (3-0, 1.69 ERA). Pregame coverage begins at 6:20 p.m. on WBIG, 1280-AM.