GENEVA, Ill. – The Cedar Rapids Kernels scored five runs in each of the sixth and seventh innings and came from behind to beat the Kane County Cougars, 10-4, Monday night at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark.

The win was the Kernels' sixth in their last seven games. They hold a four-game lead over Quad Cities in the Western Division with 12 games left in the first half.

Kane County jumped out to a 4-0 lead.  Jeimer Candelario’s RBI single in the first inning put the Cougars up, 1-0.

The Cougars tallied three runs in the second inning. The inning was highlighted by a Reggie Golden solo home run to left field.

Kernels Manager Jake Mauer was ejected for arguing the call when Albert Almora was ruled safe on a stolen base at third in the frame.

The Kernels' five-run sixth inning gave them a 5-4 lead. Joel Licon and Jeremias Pineda drew back to back bases-loaded walks to get the Kernels on the board.  J.D. Williams plated a pair with a single to right field. Pineda scored the go-ahead run when Candido Pimentel reached on a fielder’s choice.

The Kernels took a commanding 10-4 lead in the seventh inning. Pineda drew another bases-loaded walk. Licon and Michael Quesada scored when Williams reached on a throwing error. Pineda came home on a Pimentel bunt single. Adam Brett Walker’s sacrifice fly plated Willliams.

Mason Melotakis (5-2) recorded the win for the Kernels, going five innings.  He allowed four runs (two earned) on seven hits while striking out two and walking five.  Manuel Soliman and Steven Gruver both went two scoreless innings in relief.

Lendy Castillo (0-4) took the loss for the Cougars, allowing five runs over 0.2 inning.  Dillon Maples started and went five scoreless innings for Kane County.

The Kernels have the day off Tuesday. They open a six-game homestand Wednesday against Quad Cities at 6:35 p.m.

KERNELS (10): Williams, lf, 6 1 1 3, Pimentel, ss, 6 0 2 2, Harrison, 3b, 5 0 2 0, Hicks, 1b, 5 1 1 0, Walker, rf, 3 1 0 1, Grimes, c, 3 2 2 0, Licon, 2b, 3 2 0 1, Quesada, dh, 4 1 0 0, Pineda, cf, 2 2 0 2, Melotakis, p, 0 0 0 0, Soliman, p, 0 0 0 0, Gruver, p, 0 0 0 0. Totals 37 10 8 9.

KANE COUNTY (4): Amaya, 2b, 5 1 2 0, Almora, cf, 4 1 1 0, Vogelbach, 1b, 5 0 0 0, Candelario, 3b, 4 0 1 1, Shoulders, dh, 4 0 2 1, Contreras, c, 5 0 1 0, Zapata, lf, 4 0 0 0, Golden, rf, 4 1 2 1, Bote, ss, 3 1 0 0, Maples, p, 0 0 0 0, Castillo, p, 0 0 0 0, Amlung, p, 0 0 0 0, Dorris, p, 0 0 0 0. Totals 38 4 9 3.

Kernels           000 005 500 - 10 8 4
Kane County 130 000 000 -   4 9 1

Melotakis, Soliman (6), Gruver (8) and Grimes. Maples, Castillo (6), Amlung (6), Dorris (7) and Contreras. W - Melotakis (5-2). L - Castillo (0-4). 2B - Hicks (17). HR - Golden (1). SB - Grimes (1), Almora (1). SF - Walker. E - Harrison (11), Licon 2 (2), Pimentel (8), Amaya (10). T - 3:20. A - 3,087.