Cedar Rapids Kernels drop tough one at Great Lakes

MIDLAND, Mich. — The Cedar Rapids Kernels had a run score against them via defensive interference and had a runner thrown out at the plate to end a 2-1 loss Friday night to the Great Lakes Loons.

Christian Cavaness walked with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning and went to second on an Alex Perez single. Rafael Valera then singled to right field, but Cavaness was thrown out at home plate by Great Lakes right fielder Gage Green.

J.J. Fernandez homered in the second inning to give Cedar Rapids (15-13) a 1-0 lead. Great Lakes tied it in the fifth when Garrett Kennedy scored on an obstruction call on Kernels third baseman Nelson Molina.

With two outs and Kennedy on second, Cristian Gomez hit a groundball to third, but C.R. first baseman Zander Wiel dropped Molina's throw for an error. On the play, Molina was ruled to have interfered with Kennedy, allowing him home plate.

The Loons took a 2-1 lead in the sixth on a Matt Jones RBI single.

Starting pitcher Sam Clay (2-1) allowed just two hits in 5 2/3 innings but suffered the tough-luck loss. He walked three and struck out nine.

The teams complete their three-game series Saturday night.