Caratini delivers, but Cubs fall to Kernels 8-5

South Bend, IN: The South Bend Cubs looked to build momentum after no-hitting the Cedar Rapids Kernels on Monday night in game one of their three game series. With the help of Victor Caratini in his rehab assignment, South Bend came back from a 4-0 deficit. After a long battle, the Kernels capitalized in the late innings and took game two 8-5.

Getting the start behind the plate for the second straight day was Caratini. The Chicago Cubs catcher sparked a rally in the bottom of the 3^rd inning after the 4-0 Cedar Rapids lead. Caratini chopped an RBI single into center field to score Delvin Zinn, making it 4-1. Zinn, who reached to start the inning, extended his on-base streak to 19 consecutive games. 
After Caratini reached, the bases were loaded for the powerful left-handed hitting Jonathan Sierra. On his first double of the night, Sierra rocketed the ball into the left-center field gap and cleared the bases. The game was tied at 4-4.
Cedar Rapids immediately got the lead back against starter Cam Sanders in the top of the 4^th when the Cubs exchanged a run for two outs on a 6-4-3 double play. The game then sat at a 5-4 Cedar Rapids lead until the 7^th inning.
After the stretch, Eric Gonzalez delivered in place of Caratini, who exited after five innings. (Like last night, this was planned). Gonzalez lofted an RBI single into right-center to tie it at 5-5.
But again, Cedar Rapids had an answer. They delivered the knockout punch with a three-run top of the 8^th. Riley McCauley walked four batters and produced two outs in the 8^th as the Kernels went on their rally. 
In the 9^th, South Bend could not mount a comeback and the Kernels tied the series a game apiece with the rubber match set for tomorrow morning. Eury Ramos will take the ball for the Cubs for first pitch set at 10:35 a.m. on Education Day from Four Winds Field.