4-run first dooms Kernels
SOUTH BEND, Ind. - A four-run first inning was too much to overcome as the Cedar Rapids Kernels dropped a 6-4 decision to the South Bend Cubs on Thursday night at Four Winds Field.
South Bend jumped on Kernels starter Dereck Rodriguez for three doubles and two walks to build the lead. Rodriguez also had two wild pitches in the inning.
The Kernels picked up their first run in the second as Jorge Fernandez doubled off the wall in left to begin the inning, later scoring on a RBI groundout by Edgar Corcino.
Corcino cut South Bend's lead to 4-3 in the fourth inning with he crushed a two-run home run to right-center field. It scored Alex Real, who singled with two outs.
Corcino has at least one hit in his first five games as a Kernel. The home run was the team's first since Memorial Day at Beloit, snapping a season-long eight game-homerless streak.