Kernels Use Four-Run Fifth to Take Game Two Over Sky Carp, 5-3

Cedar Rapids, IA - The Kernels used a four-run fifth inning with a go-ahead two-run double from Eduardo Tait to take a lead they would not lose in a 5-3 win over Beloit in game two of the Midwest League West Division Championship Series Thursday night.

After dropping game one in Wisconsin, the Kernels went right to work in a must-have game two. Eduardo Tait laced a two-out double in the bottom of the first and, after Billy Amick walked, Danny De Andrade muscled a single to right to plate Tait and put Cedar Rapids ahead 1-0.

In the top of the third inning, Beloit responded. Cody Schrier singled and stole second, then, while stealing third, broke for home on a wild pitch to even the tally at 1-1.

In the top of the fifth, the Sky Carp took the lead on a Schrier solo shot to left to make it 2-1.

But that was the lone Beloit lead of the night. In the home half of the fifth, Poncho Ruiz and Jaime Ferrer led off the frame with a pair of walks, then, with one out, Marek Houston whacked a double to right to bring in Ruiz to level the score at 2-2. One batter later, Tait crushed a double off the wall in left to drive in two runs to give the Kernels a 4-2 advantage. Now with two outs, De Andrade lined a single up the middle to score Tait to make it 5-2.

After Beloit got a run in the eighth on a sacrifice fly, Ruddy Gomez pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to slam the door and lock down the 5-3 Kernels victory.

With the win, Cedar Rapids forces a winner-take-all game three in the Midwest League West Division Championship Series. The deciding game is set for Friday evening at 6:35. Both starters are TBD.