COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. - The Kernels dropped their second straight game to the West Michigan Whitecaps Thursday night, 4-3, in 10 innings before 2,999 fans at Fifth Third Ballpark.

Danry Vasquez's single up the middle in the bottom of the 10th scored Devon Travis with the winning run. It was West Michigan's first lead of the game.

Byron Buxton gave the Kernels a 2-0 lead in the third inning with a two-run homer off the right-field pole. Buxton's fifth homer snuck past the glove of Whitecaps right fielder Jake Stewart as he leaped at the wall.

West Michigan tied the game, 2-2, with two runs in the fifth inning. The Whitecaps loaded the bases with no outs and picked up an RBI single from Travis. Jeff Holm followed with a sacrifice fly.

The game did not stay tied for long as the Kernels took a 3-2 lead in the sixth inning on an RBI single by Dalton Hicks. Niko Goodrum scored after he walked and Jorge Polanco singled.

Holm tied the game, 3-3, for West Michigan in the seventh inning with an RBI single to center. He drove in David Gonzalez, who had singled to begin the frame.

Hudson Boyd started and went five innings for the Kernels, allowing two runs on six hits while striking out four and walking three. Jordan John started for the Whitecaps and went 5.1 innings. He allowed three runs on five hits while striking out six and walking two.

Steve Gruver pitched four innings in relief for the Kernels, allowing one run on four hits. Tyler Jones (2-1) took the loss, going one-third of an inning and allowing one run on one hit.

Cedar Rapids (18-7) and West Michigan (12-13) play again Friday morning at 10 with lefthander Mason Melotakis (1-1, 4.08 ERA) on the mound for the Kernels.

KERNELS (3): Buxton, cf, 4 1 2 2, Goodrum, ss, 3 1 1 0, Polanco, dh, 4 0 1 0, Hicks, 1b, 3 0 2 1, Walker, rf, 4 0 0 0, Harrison, 3b, 4 0 0 0, Pimentel, 2b, 4 0 0 0, Rodriguez,c, 3 1 0 0, Williams, lf, 4 0 0 0, Boyd, p, 0 0 0 0, Gruver, p, 0 0 0 0, Jones, p, 0 0 0 0. Totals 33 3 6 3.

WEST MICHIGAN (4): Gonzalez, ss, 4 1 2 0, Stewart, rf, 5 0 0 0, Travis, 2b, 3 1 1 1, Holm, 1b, 4 0 3 2, Durham, dh, 4 0 0 0, Vasquez, lf, 3 0 1 1, Reaves, 3b, 4 0 1 0, Reina, c, 4 1 2 0, Schotts, cf, 4 1 1 0, John, p, 0 0 0 0, Smith, p, 0 0 0 0, Turley, p, 0 0 0 0, Valdez, p, 0 0 0 0. Totals 35 4 11 4.

Kernels              002 001 000 0 - 3  6 1
West Michigan  000 020 100 1 - 4 11 0
(One out when winning run scored)

Boyd, Gruver (6), Jones (10) and Rodriguez. John, Smith (6), Turley (8), Valdez (9) and Reina. W - Valdez (1-0). L - Jones (2-1). 2B - Reina (1). HR - Buxton (5). E - Rodriguez. T - 2:50. A - 2,999.