Kernels shocked in 9th by Quad Cities, 9-8

DAVENPORT - A most improbable comeback was trumped by an even more improbable comeback Thursday night.

Quad Cities scored five runs with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning to stun the Cedar Rapids Kernels, 9-8, at Modern Woodmen Park. The rally was helped by a fielding error on Kernels shortstop Jorge Polanco and capped by Jobduan Morales' two-run walk-off double to left field.

Cedar Rapids (40-25) is tied for first place in the Midwest League's Western Division with Beloit, which split a double-header Thursday night with Wisconsin. There are three games remaining in the first half, with the Kernels hosting Peoria beginning Friday night.

Beloit hosts Clinton for three. If the teams remain tied after Sunday, Beloit would win the Western Division first-half championship via a tiebreaker for better won-loss record head to head (6-4).

The Kernels entered the eighth inning down, 4-2, but put up a seven spot to seemingly have a win secured. Hits, walks, wild pitches and errors were prevalent in the rally. A Michael Quesada walk with the bases loaded put Cedar Rapids on top, 5-4.

Tyler Jones took the loss in relief for the Kernels, though he allowed no earned runs in 1 2/3 innings. Byron Buxton led off the game with a home run.