Kernels Beat Bees, 9-6
July 5, 2015 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Cedar Rapids claimed the four-game series with Sunday's 9-6 win over the Burlington Bees. The two teams combined for 28 hits and four errors in the series finale. Every Cedar Rapids hitter reached base at least once, eight of whom reached base twice on the afternoon.
Brandon Bixler (1-0) recorded the win for Cedar Rapids. The southpaw allowed one run on three hits and a walk while striking out two in 2 1/3 innings of relief. Randy Rosario recorded a no-decision in his 2015 Kernels debut. The southpaw retired 10 in a row at one point and allowed just four hits while striking out five in 4 2/3 scoreless innings pitched.
Michael Theofanopoulos sealed the win with the final two innings of relief. The southpaw allowed five runs on seven hits while striking out three.
Jake Jewell (4-4) suffered the loss for Burlington. The right-hander allowed seven runs on nine hits and three walks in 2+ innings.
Jorge Fernandez and Brian Navarreto led the Kernels offensively with three hits each. Fernandez went 3-for-5 with two doubles, two runs and four RBI while Navarreto finished 3-for-4 with two RBI, a double and a run.
Cedar Rapids (48-33, 7-4) went up 3-0 with three runs in the bottom of the first. Edgar Corcino drew a leadoff walk after being down 0-2 in the count to begin the frame. Nick Gordon followed Corcino with a double down the left field line, advancing Corcino to third. The double for Gordon extended his hitting streak to a season-best eight games and his on-base streak to 11. Two batters later, Max Murphy drew a walk, loading the bases full of Kernels. Fernandez put Cedar Rapids up 3-0 with a two-out bases clearing double down the right field line.
The Kernels extended their lead to 5-0 with two runs in the bottom of the second. Navarreto led off the inning with a single off the third base bag. Pat Kelly followed Navarreto with an infield bunt single up the third base line, giving Cedar Rapids runners on first and second. Corcino then reached on a fielder's choice, giving the Kernels runners on the corners with one out. A Jewell wild pitch brought in Navarreto to score from third, extending the Kernels lead to four. The wild pitch also advanced Corcino to second. Gordon followed Corcino with a single to left, moving Corcino to third. The Kernels went up 5-0 courtesy of the double steal. Corcino came in to score from third right after Wade Wass's throw went to second. The stolen base was the fifth of the year for Corcino and No. 19 for Gordon.
Cedar Rapids tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the third. Brett Doe led off the inning with a home run to left-center. The homer was Doe's third of the year. Fernandez followed Doe with a single to right. T.J. White got in on the hit parade with a single to center, giving the Kernels runners on first and second with still no outs. Another Jewell wild pitch advanced Fernandez to third and White to second. Navarreto extended the Cedar Rapids lead to 7-0 with an RBI single through the left side.
Burlington (39-41, 4-7) got on the board with a run in the top of the seventh. Nick Flair led off the inning with a home run to left-center. The home run was Flair's first of the season and his third RBI.
Cedar Rapids extended its lead to 9-1 with two runs in the bottom of the seventh. Zack Larson reached on a Burlington fielding error to begin the inning. Two batters later, Fernandez extended the Kernels lead to seven with an RBI double down the left field line. White then reached on the second Burlington fielding error of the inning, giving the Kernels runners on the corners. Navarreto followed White with an RBI single down the left field line, scoring Fernandez from third.
The Bees cut the Kernels lead to three with five runs in the top of the ninth. Steven Mateo led off the inning with a single to left-center. Trevor Gretzky was then hit by a pitch, giving the Bees runners on first and second. Two batters later, Jake Yacinich drove in Mateo with an RBI single to center. Tim Arakawa loaded the bases full of Bees with a single to center. A Trever Allen RBI fielder's choice scored Gretzky, cutting the Kernels lead to 9-3. Wass followed Allen with a two-out, two-run double off the left field wall, plating both Yacinich and Allen. Zach Houchins delivered the final run of the game with an RBI single to left, bringing in Wass from second.
The Kernels continue a four-game homestand with two games against the Beloit Snappers, the Midwest League affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. First pitch in the series opener on Monday is at 6:35 p.m. from Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium. RHP Sam Gibbons (2-2, 4.85) gets the start for Cedar Rapids while RHP Junior Mendez (2-6, 4.61) counters for Burlington.
Former MLB player Jack Clark will be at the stadium on Monday, July 6th as part of The Principal Financial Dreams Tour. The first 2,000 fans receive a FREE Jack Clark commemorative baseball card and Clark will be signing autographs on the concourse before and during the game. It's also Mark Down Monday where regular hot dogs are just $1.50 and ice cream sandwiches, chips, small popcorn and Cracker Jack are each just $1. Gates open at 5:30 PM and first pitch between the Kernels and Snappers is set for 6:35 PM.
This Sunday is a Run the Bases Sunday, presented by Jimmy John's with media sponsor 104.5 KDAT, when the Kernels take on Burlington at 2:05 p.m. Fans can run the bases, play catch in the outfield and get autographs from the Kernels on the field after the game. Play Travel Advisors Baseball Bingo during the game for a chance to win a trip to Minneapolis and see the Twins play. Every Sunday home game, Goodwill is collecting donations - if a fan brings 10 or more donation items, they receive a coupon for a buy one ticket, get one free offer for a future Sunday Kernels home game. It's also a New Belgium Brewing Bike to the Ballpark Game - fans are encouraged to ride their bikes to the games and park them in the secure parking area inside the stadium. Win prizes from New Belgium Brewing and Fleck Sales just for riding your bike to the ballpark. Enjoy Papa Balloon, Face Painting by Kennedy and Magician Jackson Green on the concourse during the game. Gates open at 1:00 p.m.
Tickets are available online at www.kernels.com. You can also visit the Kernels Ticket Office at Veterans Memorial Stadium or call 319-896-7560. Morgan Hawk brings you the action of all Kernels games live on KMRY Radio (93.1 FM/1450 AM) and online at www.kernels.com.
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