MWL1 Cedar Rapids Kernels

Walk-Off Home Run Lifts Cougars Past Kernels

Published on July 12, 2015 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release


GENEVA, Ill. - Ildemaro Vargas ended Sunday's game with a pinch-hit walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning and gave Kane County a 3-1 victory over the Kernels.

The two-run home run was a line drive smash that slipped just over the wall in left. It came with two outs and also scored Henry Castillo, who was at first base. It was the second home run of the season for Vargas. Joe Munoz walked with one out before being forced out on Castillo's fielder's choice. Vargas pinch-hit for Galli Cribbs, who was 1-for-3 on the day.

Brandon Bixler (1-1) allowed the home run and took the loss, allowing two runs, one hit and one walk over 2/3 inning. Zac Curtis (3-3) earned the win after tossing a scoreless top of the ninth.

Kane County (15-3, 51-35) scored first with a run in the bottom of the fourth. Marty Herum led off the frame with a double down the left field. A Colin Bray sacrifice bunt advanced Herum to third. Michael Perez followed Bray with a sacrifice fly to center, bringing in Herum from third.

Cedar Rapids (11-7, 52-36) tied the game, 1-1, with a run in the top of the eighth. Sean Miller led off the inning with a single through the right side. Tanner English then reached on a Cougars fielding error, giving the Kernels runners on first and second. Nick Gordon followed English with an RBI single up the middle, plating Miller from second.

Gordon and Brett Doe led the Kernels with two hits each. Doe went 2-for-4 with a pair of singles while Gordon finished 2-for-4 with two singles and an RBI.

Gordon extended his hitting streak to 12 games, pushing his on-base streak to 15 games.

Sam Gibbons recorded a no-decision in his seventh start for Cedar Rapids. The right-hander yielded one run on seven hits and one walk while striking out three in 5 1/3 innings pitched. Luke Bard tossed 2 2/3 scoreless innings of relief for the Kernels. The right-hander yielded just two hits and struck out two.

Markus Solbach - a former Twins farmhand - started for Kane County. He allowed one run and nine hits over seven innings, striking out four and walking one.

The Kernels conclude the four-game series tomorrow afternoon vs. Kane County, the Midwest League affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks. First pitch on Friday from Fifth Third Bank Ballpark is at noon. LHP Luke Westphal (1-1, 4.50) gets the start for the Kernels while LHP Josh Taylor (1-0, 5.06) counters for the Cougars.

The Kernels return home for a three-game series on Wednesday, July 15th, v. the Burlington Bees. Wednesday's game is a Free Money Wednesday presented by Western Fraternal Life. Western Fraternal Life will give away $500 at the main gates at every Wednesday home game with $100 as the top cash prize. Wednesday's game is also Hall of Fame Night. The Kernels welcome the Cedar Rapids Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2015 and will recognize them before the game, along with members of past Cedar Rapids teams.

Tickets are available online at www.kernels.com. You can also visit the Kernels Ticket Office at Veterans Memorial Stadium or call 319-896-7560. Morgan Hawk brings you the action of all Kernels games live on KMRY Radio (93.1 FM/1450 AM) and online at www.kernels.com.

Check out the Cedar Rapids Kernels Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Midwest League Stories from July 12, 2015


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central