CEDAR RAPIDS – Roberto Lopez hit a solo home run with two out in the bottom of the 14th inning to give the Kernels a 7-6 win over the Kane County Cougars and move into a first place tie in the MWL Western Division with five games remaining in the first half of the season.
 
It's the first home run by a Kernel at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium since May 4 and the sixth homer of the year for Lopez. The shot made a winner out of Kernels reliever Nick Pugliese (1-0) who pitched 2.1 innings of relief, allowing a hit and striking out three.
 
Kane County jumped on Kernels starter Manuel Flores for two runs in the first inning, but the Kernels answered with a five spot in the bottom of the frame. Flores ended up allowing five runs on eight hits and struck out six over 6 innings while Haviland gave up six runs (five earned) on eight hits and struck out six over 5 innings. Reliever Scott Deal (0-2) was tagged with the loss.
 
Matt Crawford extended his hitting streak to eight games by going 2 for 6 with a triple and 3 RBI. Alexi Amarista went 2 for 7 with a double and Beau Brooks was 2 for 5 with an RBI. Jason Christensen led off the game with a solo HR and Petey Paramore added a solo HR in the third.
 
The playoff picture in the MWL West tightened up even more as the Kernels and Cougars are tied in first, trailed by Clinton one game back and Peoria 3.5 games out of first with five games remaining. The Kernels host Clinton on Thursday to wrap up the first half, while Kane County hosts Wisconsin and Peoria hosts Quad Cities.
 
The Kernels and Cougars wrap up their four game series with a noon game on Wednesday, presented by 104.5 KDAT. Gates open at 11 am and the first 1,000 fans receive a free magnet of former Kernel pitcher Ervin Santana, sponsored by Xquisite Limo, Mix 96.5 FM and WMT AM 600. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Kernels Ticket Office at 896-7560 after 10 am on Wednesday.

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