Kernels suffer walk-off loss at Kane County

GENEVA, Ill. - Ildemaro Vargas hit a two-out, pinch-hit home run in the ninth inning to give Kane County a 3-1 win over the Cedar Rapids Kernels in Midwest League baseball Sunday afternoon.

It was the second homer of the season for Vargas and came against relief pitcher Brandon Bixler (1-1), who took the loss. Joe Munoz walked with one out in the ninth, with Henry Castillo grounding into a fielder's choice.

Vargas followed with his big hit to left-center field. Kane County is 15-3 in the second half and 51-35 overall.

The Cougars took the initial lead with a run in the fourth against Kernels starting pitcher Sam Gibbons. Cedar Rapids tied it in the eighth on a Nick Gordon RBI single.

Gordon went 2-for-4 to extend his hitting streak to 12 games.

The teams play again Monday at noon. The Kernels are 52-36 overall, 11-7 in the second half.