Big inning beats Burlington

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - The Kernels used a big sixth inning to win their sixth straight game in an 11-3 victory over the Burlington Bees on Thursday. Cedar Rapids trailed 3-2 going into the sixth but improved to a season-best 75-60 on the season. The six-game winning streak matches a season-best. Cedar Rapids has now won 10 of their last 11 games, a season-high eight straight games at home, and five consecutive series.  
Burlington (50-81, 20-42) scored two unearned runs on two errors with two outs in the second inning to take a 2-0 lead, but the Kernels responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the second to tie the game 2-2.
Trevor Larnach started the second with an opposite-field home run, his third as a Kernel. Trey Cabbage later scored on a wild pitch.
The Bees jumped in front 3-2 with another unearned run in the third inning. A pair of errors allowed Kevin Williams Jr. to reach and score. Cedar Rapids committed four errors in the game, a season-high.
Cedar Rapids (75-60, 43-23) sent 12 to the plate in the eight-run sixth inning to take a commanding 10-3 lead. Larnach started the inning by reaching second on a fielding error. Jacob Pearson walked to put two on. Michael Davis drilled a go-ahead, two-run triple into the right field corner to give the Kernels a 4-3 lead. Victor Tademo followed with a RBI single to make the score 5-3. Later in the inning, Michael Helman's two-run single pushed the lead to 7-3. Cabbage capped off the inning with a bases-clearing triple to score three runs and give the Kernels a seven-run advantage. Six straight Kernels reached within the inning, including five via a hit.
The Kernels added the final run of the game in the eighth when Helman walked and scored later in the inning on a passed ball.
Derek Molina (3-0) struck out five and allowed one hit over three scoreless innings for the win in relief. Jhoan Duran started and allowed three unearned runs over four innings. Duran walked three and struck out three, allowing three hits. Rickey Ramirez finished the game with two scoreless and hitless innings.
Ed Del Rosario (3-5), the former Kernels pitcher, took the loss for Burlington as he allowed three runs (two earned). Jose Soriano started and allowed two runs over four innings for the Bees.
Davis went 3-for-5 with two RBI for the Kernels. He now has five consecutive multi-hit games, collecting nine RBI during the stretch. Cabbage increased his hitting streak to seven games.
The Kernels collected two doubles in the game, increasing their total to 255 for the season. That sets a new modern-day team record for most doubles in a season, dating back to at least 1949.
Cedar Rapids also used a big sixth inning in Wednesday's win, scoring four in the frame to win 6-2.
The final home game of the regular season is on Friday night at 6:35 pm. Melvi Acosta (2-4, 2.88) is scheduled to pitch for the Kernels against Burlington's Denny Brady (0-5, 5.27). Fans can listen to the action on 1450 KMRY AM and 93.1 KMRY FM, as well as online at www.kernels.com and www.kmryradio.com.
It's Game of Thrones Night! The first 1,000 fans through the gates when they open at 5:30 p.m. receive a FREE Kernels Game of Thrones Stein. Come dressed as your favorite character from Game of Thrones as there will be a best dressed/look-a-like contest held during the game. It's a Kernels Friday Mug Club - buy a 16 oz. souvenir mug for $6 and get it filled with regular draft beer or soda at the concession stands. Refills are just $3 all game. Mug Club is sponsored by Stadium Bar & Grill, Shuey's Restaurant & Lounge, Red's Public House, Mulligan's Pub and Z 102.9! And after the game, enjoy a spectacular FIREWORKS show!
Fans can purchase tickets for all Cedar Rapids home games by visiting www.kernels.com, going to the Kernels Ticket Office, or calling (319) 896-7560. The Kernels Ticket Office is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. On Sundays when the Kernels have a home game, the Kernels Ticket Office will open at 11:00 a.m.