Celestino's Single Leads Kernels to 8-5 Win

SOUTH BEND, IND. - A two-out, two-run single from Gilberto Celestino broke a late tie and pushed the Cedar Rapids Kernels toward an 8-5 victory Tuesday against the South Bend Cubs at Four Winds Field. Derek Molina registered two perfect innings of relief for his third save in as many chances while evening this three-game series at one win apiece.
Cedar Rapids (14-17) opened the scoring with a four-run second inning. Andrew Bechtold's bases-loaded sacrifice fly plated Gabe Snyder. Estamy Urena added his own sacrifice fly and reached first base on a dropped fly ball. Later in the frame, Jacob Pearson hit an RBI single coupled with an error that allowed DaShawn Keirsey and Ureña to come home for a 4-0 lead.

The Cubs (16-15) answered in the third inning and tied the contest at 4-4. Victor Caratini, playing on rehab assignment from the Chicago Cubs, brought in Delvin Zinn with a single. Nelson Velazquez walked to load the bases, and Jonathan Sierra delivered a three-run double to even the score.
Bechtold gave the Kernels a 5-4 advantage during the fourth. He drew a leadoff walk and advanced to third base after a single from Ureña, Hunter Lee grounded into a double play, and Bechtold scored the go-ahead run.
A game-tying tally within the seventh brought South Bend level, 5-5. Christopher Morel collected a one-out single before stealing second base. Two batters later, Eric Gonzalez drove in Morel with an RBI single.
Celestino highlighted a decisive three-run rally in the top of the eighth. In a two-out, bases-loaded situation, Celestino singled to center field and plated Keirsey and Becthold. Lee tallied an insurance run by scoring via wild pitch.
Brian Rapp (2-0) was charged with a blown save but also picked up the victory. Molina retired all six batters that he faced to earn the save. South Bend's Riley McCauley suffered his first professional loss after allowing four walks and all three Kernels runs during the eighth inning.
Wednesday's series finale is slated for 10:35 a.m. ET (9:35 a.m. CT), and the probable pitchers are Cedar Rapids right-hander Andrew Cabezas (0-3, 5.21) and South Bend right-hander Eury Ramos (0-3, 11.29). Online broadcast coverage with Chris Kleinhans-Schulz will be available at www.kmryradio.com and www.kernels.com.
Cedar Rapids' next homestand features four games in three days beginning with a doubleheader May 13. 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.