Nahas and Estrada Combine to Blank Kernels

SOUTH BEND, IN – In their 2022 Marquee Sports Network debut the Cubs took down the Kernels in a white-knuckler that was tied from the first pitch late into the eighth inning.

Joe Nahas made his third start of the season for the Cubs and issued a masterclass in dominating the opposition. In his best outing since he tossed six innings in the Cubs no-hitter last August in Fort Wayne, the right-hander tossed six shutout innings, allowing just two base hits. In his last two starts at home Nahas has registered two of the Cubs three quality starts on the season.

David Festa made his second high-A start for the Kernels and matched the Cubs starter with six scoreless frames of his own, adding eight strikeouts to just one walk.

Neither starting pitcher would pick up a decision though and the game came down to both bullpens.

The Cubs went to their closer in the seventh in Jeremiah Estrada, who worked around a two-out baserunner in the seventh and eighth inning to keep the game scoreless.

In the bottom of the eighth the Cubs finally broke through. Yohendrick Pinango kickstarted the rally with a one out single to shallow center. In his home debut Casey Opitz went 0-for-3 but he drew a walk to make it first and second with just one away, and on a passed ball both runners advanced 90 feet. The game was decided when the next batter, Owen Caissie, looped an RBI single to shallow left. Pinango scored easily, but the throw from Jeferson Morales to the plate was well in time to beat Opitz. The only problem was catcher Pat Winkel dropped the baseball, and a heads up Opitz dove back and beat the tag: 2-0 Cubs.

The benches cleared following the play after words were exchanged between Pinango and Kernels reliever Bradley Hanner. Hanner then plunked the next batter Caleb Knight, and after Knight slid into second on a fielder's choice the benches cleared again. No punches of any kind were thrown during either incident.

Estrada tossed a clean ninth inning and locked down the victory, tossing a season-high three innings on the night. The day after the Kernels offense exploded for 12 runs and six homers, the likes of Joe Nahas and Jeremiah Estrada completely stymied the Cedar Rapids offense, limiting them to no runs on just three hits.

The Cubs ended their season long six-game skid and in doing so snapped the Kernels five-game winning streak. The two sides meet again on Friday night at 7:05 p.m.