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MWL1 Cedar Rapids Kernels

Graterol's Strong Start Spoiled by Whitecaps

May 4, 2018 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release


CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - Brusdar Graterol fired three 100-mph fastballs and tossed five shutout innings Friday at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium, but the Cedar Rapids Kernels lost to the West Michigan Whitecaps, 4-1. Cedar Rapids hosted a season-best crowd of 4,356 fans as Jesus Rodriguez and West Michigan won the series-opening matchup.

Graterol recorded all three of his 100-mph pitches during a perfect first inning in his Kernels home debut. He conceded only three hits and allowed just one baserunner to reach second base over five scoreless innings of work. Graterol also posted a game-high-tying four strikeouts.

Rodriguez (2-1) only gave up one run in seven frames for a quality start and a victory. After Royce Lewis' leadoff single in the third, Rodriguez retired the next 14 hitters in a row and finished his appearance by setting down 15 of the last 16 batters that he faced.

The Kernels (13-9) jumped out to a 1-0 lead within the opening stanza. Akil Baddoo started the inning with a walk and secured a 14-game on-base streak. Two batters later, Alex Kirilloff hit an opposite-field double that drove in Baddoo. Kirilloff's RBI double produced his team-high 23rd run batted in this season.

West Michigan (16-11) scored in the eighth and ninth innings to move in front. Back-to-back doubles to start the eighth for Zac Shepherd and Garrett McCain tied the contest at 1-1. Following a bunt single by Alexis Garcia, a squeeze play from Luke Burch allowed McCain to score the go-ahead run. Garcia added an insurance run later in the frame on an RBI single by Joey Morgan. Reynaldo Rivera capped the scoring with a leadoff home run during the ninth to push West Michigan's lead to 4-1.

Whitecaps reliever Wladimir Pinto notched his league-high-tying fifth save while Kernels relief pitcher Rickey Ramirez (0-1) was charged with a blown save and the loss. Pinto tallied four strikeouts in two scoreless and hitless innings to end Friday's game. West Michigan tagged Ramirez for two runs over his two-plus innings out of the bullpen.

This three-game series continues Saturday evening at 6:35 p.m. Fans unable to attend Saturday's contest between Cedar Rapids and West Michigan can follow the action on 1450 KMRY AM and 93.1 KMRY FM and also online at www.kmryradio.com, www.kernels.com, and MiLB.TV.

Gates open early at 5:00 p.m. for Kentucky Derby Night, and the race will be broadcast on the Kernels' videoboard. Fans aged 21 and older can win a prize from Angry Orchard for wearing the best Kentucky Derby Hat. The first 500 fans through the gates will receive a free Kernels Hyper-Color Cup. Stick around after the contest for the first postgame fireworks display of the season presented by Procter & Gamble.

Fans can purchase tickets for all Cedar Rapids home games by visiting www.kernels.com, going to the Kernels Ticket Office, or calling (319) 896-7560. The Kernels Ticket Office is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. On Sundays when the Kernels have a home game, the Kernels Ticket Office will open at 11:00 a.m.

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Midwest League Stories from May 4, 2018


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