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Cedar Rapids Kernels

Whitecaps Slide Past Kernels, 8-3

April 27, 2016 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release


CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - The West Michigan Whitecaps scored in the first four innings Wednesday at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium to secure an 8-3 victory against the Cedar Rapids Kernels. West Michigan (10-9) and Cedar Rapids (11-9) are now tied at 1-1 in this three-game series prior to Thursday's rubber game.

Both teams scored in the first inning Wednesday. West Michigan's Derek Hill singled to open the game and stole second base before reaching third on a groundout. Will Allen's two-out RBI double drove in Hill for a brief 1-0 lead. The Kernels responded in the bottom of the inning as Jermaine Palacios drew a walk, advanced to third base after a Luis Arraez single and scored on a double play off the bat of Rafael Valera.

The back-and-forth trend continued in the second inning. Jose Azocar started the inning with a triple and quickly scored during a groundout by Steven Fuentes to push West Michigan back in front. During the home half of the frame, J.J. Fernandez launched his first home run of the season into the Plumbers & Pipefitters Pavilion, tying the score at 2-2 via a solo shot.

West Michigan broke out for a four-run rally with two outs in the top of the third, grabbing a 6-2 lead. Azocar opened the scoring with an RBI single to score Brett Pirtle. Fuentes followed with a two-run triple and later scored on David Gonzalez's RBI single.

Two more tallies in the fourth inning stretched the lead to 8-2 for the Whitecaps. Allen delivered an RBI single that brought in Will Maddox. On the next pitch, Shane Zeile grounded into a force out that scored Pirtle.

Cedar Rapids was held to just one run while trying to come from behind in this contest. A.J. Murray singled to lead off the bottom of the fourth and scored on a sacrifice fly by Sean Miller.

Whitecaps right-hander Jordan Smith (2-0) received credit for the win. He only allowed three runs over five innings. Kernels right-hander Andro Cutura (2-1) gave up a career-high eight runs and nine hits over four innings in a loss. West Michigan's first eight batters in the lineup were all responsible for at least one run scored or batted in Wednesday.

This three-game series with West Michigan wraps up Thursday. First pitch is at 6:35 p.m. as Kernels right-hander Sam Gibbons (1-2, 5.74 ERA) faces Whitecaps right-hander Fernando Perez (1-0, 4.22 ERA). Listen to all of the exciting Midwest League action with Morgan Hawk and Chris Kleinhans-Schulz on 1450 KMRY AM and 93.1 KMRY FM and also online at www.kmryradio.com and www.kernels.com.

First Federal Credit Union Flat Screen Thursday invites fans aged 18 and older to register for a chance to win one of three 32" flat screen TVs. Thirsty Thursday, presented by Z 102.9, features $2 prices for 12 oz. draft beer, 20 oz. bottled soda and water. Little Caesars College Night offers college students an $8 deal for a Club ticket and two slices of Little Caesars pizza by presenting a college ID at the Kernels Ticket Office.

Tickets for all Kernels home games and the 2016 Midwest League All-Star Game are available at www.kernels.com, the Kernels Ticket Office and by calling (319) 896-7560. The Kernels Ticket Office is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturdays. The ticket office is closed on Sundays except on Kernels Sunday home dates when it will open at 11:00 a.m.

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Midwest League Stories from April 27, 2016


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