Dynamic Duo Debuts in Close Kernels Contest

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Cedar Rapids Kernels newcomers Louie Varland and Osiris German combined for eight shutout innings Thursday at Four Winds Field, but the South Bend Cubs scored a game-tying run in the ninth and walked off in the 10th for the second night in a row while picking up a 2-1 victory and a 2-1 lead within this six-game series.

Varland tossed a quality start in his debut for the Kernels (35-28). He tied a personal high with six shutout innings including a 1-2-3 sixth inning to protect a 1-0 lead. Varland now has four quality starts this season between Cedar Rapids and the Low-A Fort Myers Mighty Mussels.

German followed with two perfect innings of relief and earned the hold. He now has an overall scoreless streak of 23.2 innings with no runs allowed since a Fort Myers game May 26 at the Lakeland Flying Tigers.

Edouard Julien drove Cedar Rapids to its 1-0 advantage during the sixth. Yeltsin Encarnacion received a one-out, full-count walk and scored from first base on Julien’s double to right-center field.

The Cubs (28-34) leveled the contest, 1-1, within the ninth inning. D.J. Artis ended a 12-out stretch by South Bend batters when he was hit by a pitch. He stole second base before coming home via Tyler Durna’s double into left-center field.

A dramatic 10th inning resulted in South Bend securing the 2-1 victory. Daniel Ozoria was thrown out trying to steal home to close the top half of the frame. The Cubs put runners at second and third with one out for Josue Huma who singled away from a shift past a drawn-in infield to bring in Grayson Byrd and finish the comeback win.

Bradford Deppermann (1-2) posted two shutout innings within his first victory this season. Ryan Shreve (3-2), the winning pitcher from Tuesday’s Kernels win, gave up Huma’s walk-off single in a losing decision.

The next contest in this six-game series will be played Friday night at 7:05 p.m. ET (6:05 p.m. CT). Kernels right-hander Jon Olsen (0-3, 3.59) and Cubs right-hander Matteo Bocchi (1-0, 3.72) are the probable pitchers. Chris Kleinhans-Schulz will broadcast the game on www.kernels.com.

Cedar Rapids will host its next homestand Tuesday, July 20 through Sunday, July 25. 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.

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