Kernels Rout Cubs, 13-3, Sunday

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – After a back-and-forth start to Sunday’s series finale at Four Winds Field, the Cedar Rapids Kernels scored eight runs in the fourth inning and then cruised to a 13-3 victory against the South Bend Cubs. The Kernels (36-30) earned their biggest win of the season thanks in large part to their best single offensive inning of 2021.

The Kernels initially built a 3-0 advantage over the first two frames. Edouard Julien opened the scoring in a two-run first inning by coming home on a wild pitch. The next pitch was lined to center field by Wander Javier for an RBI single. In the second, Max Smith doubled to drive in Michael Helman.

During the home half of the second inning, South Bend (30-35) came within 3-2. Grayson Byrd’s RBI double and Yonathan Perlaza’s sacrifice fly kept the game close.

Jair Camargo and D.J. Artis traded solo home runs in the third. Camargo launched his team-high 12th blast this year to center field, but Artis answered with a homer to left field and left the score at 4-3 Kernels.

Cedar Rapids broke the game open with a season-high eight-run outburst within the fourth. Julien recorded his first career grand slam. Camargo forced in another run when he was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. DaShawn Keirsey Jr. and Helman added run-scoring walks, and Gabriel Maciel’s RBI force out pushed the lead to 12-3.

In the top of the eighth inning, Smith put the finishing touch on a 13-3 blowout. He launched a solo home run to right field to give the Kernels a new season high in total runs scored.

Ben Gross (4-0) was the winning pitcher after notching a career-high-tying eight strikeouts over a season-best 5.1 innings pitched with only one run allowed. He made his first professional relief appearance in a pitching tandem with Luis Rijo who started the contest for his first outing since his recent stint on the injured list.

Max Bain (2-5) lost for the second time in as many starts against Cedar Rapids this series. He conceded four runs in just three frames.

Cedar Rapids will be idle Monday before facing the Beloit Snappers in a six-game homestand that starts Tuesday. The series opener is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. Tuesday at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Broadcast coverage with Chris Kleinhans-Schulz will be available on www.kernels.com and MiLB.TV.

Special promotions for this upcoming Kernels homestand include Wednesday’s Bark in the Park Night thanks to Lou Kessler and Ainsley Snyder of Urban Acres Real Estate, Friday’s Kernels hat giveaway presented by Electronic Engineering, and Sunday’s Kernels team photo giveaway. More details on all listed Cedar Rapids promotions are posted at www.kernels.com.

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.