MWL1 Cedar Rapids Kernels

Cougars Hold off Kernels in Series Opener

Published on August 7, 2019 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release


GENEVA, ILL. - Errors allowed the Cedar Rapids Kernels a chance for a ninth-inning comeback Wednesday at Northwestern Medicine Field, but the Kane County Cougars survived the late rally and recorded a 3-1 triumph. The Cougars (31-14, 66-48) earned their fifth victory over their last six contests while the Kernels (27-18, 66-49) had their six-game win streak snapped.

Left-handed pitchers Michel Gelabert (3-1) and Kody Funderburk posted scoreless starts for Kane County and Cedar Rapids, respectively. Gelabert fired a season-high six shutout innings and ultimately picked up the win. Funderburk took a no-hitter into the fifth inning and ended with five scoreless frames. Both pitchers notched a game-high five strikeouts apiece.

Kane County broke through in the bottom of the sixth inning for a 3-0 advantage. Batting with two outs and the bases loaded, Kristian Robinson delivered a two-run double to left-center field that plated Tra Holmes and Zack Shannon. An error later in the play allowed Buddy Kennedy to score as well.

The Kernels rallied within the ninth but only tallied one run. Wander Javier was hit by a pitch to open the frame, and Yunior Severino grounded into an error. After back-to-back Cedar Rapids strikeouts, Trevor Casanova hit a groundball that led to an error and helped Javier come home to trim the deficit to 3-1. However, a fly out followed to close the contest.

Kenny Hernandez tossed two scoreless innings of relief behind Gelabert during his fifth hold of the season. Jose Cuas yielded one unearned run but no other damage in the ninth to lock down his fifth save.

Brian Rapp (3-1) was the losing pitcher in Wednesday's series opener. He gave up three runs including two earned runs over two total innings pitched in his first loss of 2019.

Thursday's contest between Cedar Rapids and Kane County will begin at 6:30 p.m. with Kernels right-hander Luis Rijo (4-6, 2.58) scheduled to pitch against Cougars right-hander Levi Kelly (4-0, 2.10). Broadcast coverage with Chris Kleinhans-Schulz will be available on 1450 KMRY AM and 93.1 KMRY FM and also online at www.kmryradio.com and www.kernels.com.

Cedar Rapids will be back at home August 10 to begin three-game homestand. Fans can purchase tickets for all Cedar Rapids Kernels home games by visiting www.kernels.com, going to the Kernels Ticket Office, or calling (319) 896-7560. The Kernels Ticket Office is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturdays. On Sundays when the Kernels have a home game, the Kernels Ticket Office will open at 11:00 a.m.

Check out the Cedar Rapids Kernels Statistics

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Midwest League Stories from August 7, 2019


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