Kernels shut out Kane County Cougars 6-0
An offensive laden first inning for the Kernels (33-25) and a shutdown pitching performance from Fernando Romero (4-0) spoiled a quality outing from Cougars starter Carlos Hernandez (3-5) as the Cougars (27-31) fell 6-0 at Perfect Game Field.
It was the Kernels who provided the offense first in the middle game of this series. A two-out walk sparked the scoring in the first inning as Zander Wiel plugged a double to give the Kernels the lead. The next batter, A.J. Murray bopped his sixth home run of 2016 to make it a 3-0 Cedar Rapids advantage.
The Cougars could not start any type of offensive threat against the right-hander Romero, one of the Twins top prospects. He only allowed 4 runs this through 7 shutout innings, a career high. Romero also had 7 strikeouts and only walked one.
Hernandez kept the Cougars close throughout the game with a quality pitching outing. After a rocky first inning, Hernandez proceeded to toss five shutout innings highlighted by 8 strikeouts, matching a season high.
Hernandez gave up 3 runs on 3 hits in six innings.
The Kernels scored 3 more runs in the bottom of the seventh. Facing new reliever, right-hander Ryan Burr, the Kernels had RBI hits from J.J. Fernandez, Luis Arraez, and a double from Sean Miller.
Fernando Romero picked up the win for Cedar Rapids. He was won all four of his starts in 2016. Hernandez took the loss for the Cougars, but has thrown 2 quality starts in a row.
The Cougars return to action on Thursday night in the finale of the series in Cedar Rapids. First pitch is slated for 6:35 p.m., on 1280, WBIG-AM