Cougars get comeback win over Cedar Rapids
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Austin Byler's 3-run home run in the eighth inning propelled the Kane County Cougars (6-11, 39-48) to a comeback victory, 7-4, over the Cedar Rapids Kernels (8-9, 44-41) from Perfect Game Field in Iowa. Adding 2 more runs of insurance in the ninth frame, the Cougars benefited from a revamped batting lineup, quality pitching, and clutch power. It was just the sixth victory for the ballclub in 45 tries when trailing after seven innings.
Earlier in the game, the Cougars had a fourth inning 2-run home run from Trevor Mitsui and received a quality start from Sam McWilliams (0-1) with an efficient bullpen stint for Kirby Bellow (1-0) who picked up his first win of the 2016 campaign.
In a wild and wacky affair, the Cougars continued to use the long ball to score runs. Securing a fourth inning 2-0 lead, Austin Byler walked, and Mitsui slugged a 2-run homer against right-hander Dereck Rodriguez (1-10). It was Mitsui's third of the season and first in over a month's time.
Answering right back with a duo of runs, the Kernels staged a two-out rally. Nelson Melson reached on an infield error setting up a run-scoring triple by Jaylin Davis. Brian Olson singled in the next at-bat as the Kernels rallied behind the Cougars defensive miscue.
The Kernels tacked on single runs in the fifth and sixth innings to grab a 4-2 lead. Cougar starter, right-hander McWilliams, allowed his first earned run in the fifth stanza when he gave up three straight singles and an RBI to Sean Miller. The next inning, the Kernels' Jermaine Palacios blooped home another tally in McWilliams' last frame.
In total, McWilliams left after 6 innings, 4 runs (2 earned), on 4 strikeouts and 1 walk. It was his second quality start of 2016. In relief, Bellow followed up with critical work. The former Texas Longhorn closer blanked the Kernels with 3 innings of 1 hit baseball and 6 strikeouts.
Trailing 4-2, the Cougars relied on their home run bent once against in the go-ahead eighth inning. Pitted against right-hander bullpen man, Max Cordy, Raymel Flroes singled, Joe Munoz walked, and Austin Byler slammed a 3-run blast to put the Cougars up, 5-4. In the ninth, the Cougars plated two more runs of insurance on Munoz's RBI groundout, and wild pitch that scored Flores.
Bellow received his first win of the year furthering the Cougars bullpen excellence, Cordy took his first loss as the Cougars now have an opportunity to win a road series for the first time since late April.