Normally, when Cedar Rapids Kernels pitchers rack up 16 strikeouts in a game at Veterans Memorial Stadium, you would feel pretty confident the home fans will leave the ballpark happy.

But the remaining few of the 574 fans that paid to attend the game Tuesday night and stuck it out to the end also saw Kernels pitchers give up 13 hits to the third-worst hitting team in the Midwest League so far this season.

As a result, they saw the Kernels drop a 7-5 decision to the South Bend Silver Hawks.

The night started out poorly for the Kernels as South Bend hitters touched Cedar Rapids starting pitcher Ryan Eades (1-2) for five of their runs on eight hits during the game’s first three innings. Eades struck out five Sliver Hawks before Josue Montanez took the mound for the Kernels to start the fourth inning.

Montanez struck out six South Bend batters in his 2.2 innings of relief work, but gave up South Bend’s sixth run in the process.

Christian Powell entered with two outs in the sixth inning and added four more strikeouts in his 2.2 innings on the mound. However, Powell was also charged with the Silver Hawks’ seventh and final run in the ninth inning.

Brandon Peterson took the mound with one out in the ninth inning and added the team’s 16th and final strikeout to the total, but also gave up the hit that plated the run charged to Powell.

Asked afterward whether he’d ever had a pitching staff strike out 16 batters and give up 13 hits in the same game, Kernels pitching coach Ivan Arteaga shook his head and said, “Not that I remember.”

“They’re throwing strikes. I’m very happy with that,” Arteaga said. “That’s what we’re trying to do. Trying to establish the strike zone early. But when we need to make a pitch at a particular time, it seems like (the hitters) take healthy hacks.

"Yes, we are executing well, but I expect more from my guys. I really do. I think they’re better than that.”

Coming from behind is nothing new to the Kernels, who have had to overcome deficits in five of their eight victories this year.

Kernels catcher Mitch Garver got the Kernels on the scoreboard with his Midwest League-leading fifth home run to lead off the second inning.

The real comeback attempt for the Kernels, however, waited until the home half of the seventh inning. Trailing 6-1 at the time, Bryan Haar launched his fourth home run of the season following a Garver base on balls, closing the gap to 6-3.

The next four Kernels batters worked walks, forcing in another run. Still with no outs and the bases loaded, Jason Kanzler bounced a ball up the middle that deflected off pitcher Will Laconte’s glove and straight to South Bend shortstop Andrew Velazquez, who completed the double play as Bo Altobelli scored from third base with the Kernels’ final run of the inning and, as it turned out, of the game as well.

The Kernels complete their three-game series againist South Bend Wednesday night. Game time is 6:35.

SOUTH BEND (7): Velazquez, ss, 5 1 1 1, Westbrook, 2b, 6 2 2 0, Trahan, lf, 5 2 2 1, Palka, 1b, 3 1 2 2, Roberts, dh, 4 0 1 2, Perez, c, 4 0 1 0, Esquerra, rf, 4 1 1 0, Almadova, cf, 5 0 3 1, Parr, 3b, 4 0 0 0. Totals 40 7 13 7.

KERNELS (5): Kanzler, cf, 4 0 0 0, Vavra, 2b, 4 0 1 0, Larson, rf, 4 0 0 0, Garaver, c, 3 2 1 1, Haar, 1b, 4 1 2 2, Wade, 3b, 3 1 0 0, Altobelli, dh, 2 1 1 0, Vielma, ss, 4 0 1 0, Pineda, lf, 3 0 0 1. Totals 31 5 6 4.

South Bend   302 001 001 - 7 13 1
Kernels      010 000 400 - 5 6 1

Allen, Locante (7), Jose (8), Bradley (9) and Perez. Eades, Montanez (4), Powell (6), Peterson (9) and Garver. W - Allen (2-0). L - Eades (1-2). S - Bradley (1). 2B - Palka (2), Trahan (2), Westbrook (6). HR - Garver (5), Haar (4). SB - Almadova 2 (5), Palka (2). E - Allen (1), Wade (4). A - 574.