Kepler & Polanco bring Kernels back to beat Bees 6-4
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - A go ahead home run by Max Kepler in the 8th pushed the Kernels to a 6-4 win over the Burlington Bees on Tuesday afternoon. The Kernels have won five straight to open the second half.
Andrew Ray put the Bees on the scoreboard first with a leadoff home run in the 4th. A few batters later, Kevin Moesquit singled home Michael Bolaski, who reached on an error.
Burlington tacked on 2 more runs in the 5th to increase its lead to 4-0. Ray tripled to the center field wall to score Kyle Johnson and Chance Ross. Ray finished 2-for-4 with 3 RBI.
The Bees attempted to steal second base twice in the contest, but Kernels catcher Michael Quesada threw out both Wade Hinkle and Kyle Johnson. Quesada has now thrown out 28 percent of attempted base stealers.
The Kernels were held scoreless until the 7th when they pushed across 4 runs. Max Kepler led off the frame with a double off the left field wall and later scored on an infield single by Quesada. J.D. Williams and Niko Goodrum followed that by each drawing walks and then Jorge Polanco tied the game at 4.
Polanco powered the first pitch he saw from reliever Austin Adams and hit it to the right center field wall for a 2-out bases clearing triple. The triple is Polanco's 9th of the season, which leads the team. He finished 1-for-4 with 3 RBI.
In the 8th, Kepler smashed the go ahead homer to put the Kernels up 6-4. For Kepler, his first home run as a Kernel and 5 of his first 7 hits have gone for extra bases. The long ball was also just the 2nd off the season hit off of Bees reliever Joey Krehbiel.
Kernels starter Mason Melotakis exited after 6 innings, allowing 4 runs on 5 hits while walking 3 and striking out 5. The Kernels bullpen picked up their starter tremendously: Tim Atherton and Kaleb Merck (1-0) combined for 3 scoreless and hitless innings, striking out 3. Burlington's fifth and final hit of the day was Ray's triple in the 5th.
Bees starter Reid Scoggins threw just 1 inning followed by Brandon Love's 5 scoreless. Krehbiel (2-4) took the loss, allowing 2 runs on 2 hits in 1.1 innings.
NEXT GAME: Wednesday, June 26 v. Burlington Bees (Angels)-6:35 p.m. - Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium
Cedar Rapids: RHP Jose Berrios (4-3, 3.17) v. Burlington: RHP Pat Lowery (3-3, 3.83)
Radio: KMRY 1450 AM/93.1 FM & www.kernels.com
Promotions: Free Money Wednesday! Up to $1,000 will be given away at the main gates!
Tickets: Available at www.kernels.com or at the Kernels Ticket Office at Veterans Memorial Stadium, 319-896-7650 (Monday-Friday 10-5, Saturday 10-2)