Casanova Caps Comeback in Walk-Off Win

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - Trevor Casanova's game-winning double finished a 6-5 Cedar Rapids Kernels walk-off victory Tuesday against the Burlington Bees at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Cedar Rapids (27-17, 66-48) recorded a four-game sweep and improved to 6-0 in August.
The Kernels rallied from a 5-4 deficit in the ninth inning for their 6-5 triumph. Gabe Snyder fouled away four consecutive 2-2 pitches before launching his team-high 13th home run to right field. Wander Javier came up next and reached on a throwing error before moving to second base on a single from Jared Akins. Two batters later, Casanova doubled down the right-field line to drive in Javier and finish the third Cedar Rapids walk-off win of the year.

Gilberto Celestino lifted the Kernels to a 1-0 advantage early in Tuesday's finale. He crushed a first-inning solo shot over the 407-foot mark in left-center field for his eighth homer this season.
Daniel Ozoria pushed the lead to 2-0 Cedar Rapids within the second. Casanova extended the inning on a two-out single and made it to third base on a wild pitch coupled with an error. After a walk for Ricky De La Torre, Ozoria produced an RBI infield single to bring in Casanova.
Josh Winder retired nine consecutive batters before running into trouble during the fourth. The Bees loaded the bases with help from an early error. Justin Jones hit a two-out, three-run triple, and he scored on Harrison Wenson's two-run home run that gave Burlington a 5-2 edge.
Javier's fifth-inning home run sliced the difference to 5-4. Following a leadoff single by Snyder, Javier deposited a two-run blast over the left-center-field wall. It was Javier's eighth home run overall, and the score would remain at 5-4 until the final frame.
Austin Schulfer (7-5) tossed a scoreless ninth inning and notched his seventh win. Luis Ramirez (0-1) blew the late lead and was charged for the blown save and the loss. Greg Veliz and Chad Sykes each notched their second holds prior to Ramirez's appearance.
Coming up, the Kernels will visit the Kane County Cougars for a three-game series at Northwestern Medicine Field. First pitch for Wednesday's series opener is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., and Kernels left-hander Kody Funderburk (0-2, 5.33) will square off with Cougars southpaw Michel Gelabert (2-1, 2.70). Chris Kleinhans-Schulz will call the action on 1450 KMRY AM and 93.1 KMRY FM and also online at www.kmryradio.com, 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.