MWL1 Cedar Rapids Kernels

Kernels Blasted by Beloit 9-4

May 21, 2014 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release


CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - The Cedar Rapids Kernels suffered a 9-4 defeat in a strong pitching effort by Beloit starter Kyle Finnegan Wednesday night at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Jason Kanzler crushed a three-run homerun Mitch Garver tallied an RBI-single in the sixth inning for the Kernels in the losing effort. The Snappers utilized 14 total hits to stymy Cedar Rapids' three-game win streak.

Beloit grabbed an early 1-0 in the top of the second off back-to-back doubles by Andy Paz and Melvin Mercedes. The Snappers put five total runners on the base paths in the first two frames but could only push across one run.

A six-run frame where the Snappers batted around on five hits powered Beloit to a 7-0 advantage in the third inning. Two doubles by Paz and BA Vollmuth brought in the inning's first three runs while Boog Powell tallied two more on a home run over the right field wall. Jacob Brugman singled into right on two outs to plate BJ Boyd for the final run of the third.

Felix Jorge (2-5) exited for Cedar Rapids after 2 2/3 innings on the mound, taking his fourth loss in his last four starts. The righty surrendered seven runs on seven hits while walking four and striking out two.

The Snappers continued the hot hitting in the top of the fourth to push the score to 9-0. Paz recorded his third-straight hit of the game while Luis Baez tallied Beloit's fifth double in the two-run fourth inning.

Brandon Bixler finished the third for the Kernels and came out following the fourth inning. In his 1 1/3 innings, Bixler allowed two runs on five hits while striking out two and walking one.

Left-hander Derrick Penilla entered for the Kernels to start the fifth and was terrific over three scoreless innings. He allowed just two hits while striking out five and walking one. It was the second consecutive outing where Penilla pitched three scoreless innings.

The Kernels had collected only one base hit through the first five innings, but they collected four runs on three hits, alone, in the sixth inning. J.D. Williams began the inning with a base on balls. After a single by Chad Christensen, Williams scored on Mitch Garver's RBI single to get the Kernels on the board. Then, Jason Kanzler - in his first game after a week on the disabled list, drilled a three-run home run to straight-away center field, making the score 9-4.

Beloit's Kyle Finnegan (4-1) went six innings and allowed four runs on four hits for the victory. He struck out three and walked two.

Junior Mendez pitched through the seventh and eighth innings without giving up a run in his sixth appearance in relief.

Hudson Boyd worked a scoreless seventh and eighth for the Kernels while walking two, hitting a batter with a pitch and striking out two.

Right-hander Sam Bragg closed the ninth for Beloit and gave up no runs on no hits while walking one batter to secure the 9-4 victory.

The Kernels now hit the road for a six-game road trip. A three-game series at Quad Cities begins on Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. After the three-game commuter series at Modern Woodmen Park, the Kernels travel to Beloit's Pohlman Field for a three-game series. The Kernels return home on Wednesday, May 28, hosting the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. May 28 is a Free Money Wednesday, sponsored by First Federal Credit Union. $500 will be given away at the main gates at every Wednesday home game, with $100 being the top cash prize.

RHP Aaron Slegers (4-1, 3.80) is scheduled to start Thursday for the Kernels while the River Bandits are expected to counter with LHP Chris Lee (1-2, 2.65). Tickets are available at www.kernels.com. You can also visit the Kernels Ticket Office at Veterans Memorial Stadium or call 319-896-7560. Kernels games are broadcast live on KMRY Radio (93.1 FM/1450 AM) and streamed online at www.kernels.com.

Check out the Cedar Rapids Kernels Statistics



Midwest League Stories from May 21, 2014


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