MWL1 Cedar Rapids Kernels

Kernels Defeat Cougars in Pitchers' Duel

Published on July 28, 2016 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release


GENEVA, ILL. - The Cedar Rapids Kernels picked up a 2-0 shutout Thursday against the Kane County Cougars at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark. Manager Jake Mauer earned his 294th Kernels victory, breaking a tie with Ollie Marquardt for second all-time in Cedar Rapids managerial wins.

The Kernels (20-13, 56-46) clinched a series victory after their second triumph in this three-game set at the Cougars (11-22, 44-59). Cedar Rapids also claimed its eighth consecutive road win.

Kernels right-hander Sam Gibbons and Cougars right-hander Max Duval traded zeroes over the first several innings of Thursday's tilt. Gibbons recorded six shutout frames while Duval tallied a game-high nine strikeouts over his quality start.

Defense backed up both starting pitchers early in the contest. Cedar Rapids and Kane County combined for four double plays within the long scoreless stretch. Zander Wiel also made a game-saving play, a diving stop on a ground ball from Frank Christy and a flip from foul territory to Gibbons at first base to end the fourth inning and keep the Cougars from scoring on the play.

The Kernels broke up the scoreless deadlock behind Nelson Molina, taking a 2-0 advantage in the process. With two runners aboard and only one out in the seventh inning, Molina singled to right-center field and drove in Wiel for the game's first run. Molina followed in the ninth with a two-out double and scored on an RBI bloop single to center field from Sean Miller.

Gibbons (5-3) was the winning pitcher Thursday while Duval, who gave up the go-ahead run in his seventh and final inning of work, was charged for the loss and fell to 0-3. Kuo Hua Lo tossed a scoreless seventh inning for his third hold of the season before Anthony McIver retired all six batters that he faced for his sixth save.

Friday's series finale is slated for 6:30 p.m. with Kernels right-hander Eddie Del Rosario (2-2, 5.18 ERA) pitching against Cougars right-hander Jose Almonte (0-2, 4.61 ERA). Listen to the action with Chris Kleinhans-Schulz on 1450 KMRY AM and 93.1 KMRY FM and online at www.kmryradio.com and www.kernels.com.

Cedar Rapids' next homestand starts Wednesday, August 3 and continues through Tuesday, August 9. Tickets for all Kernels home games 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 July 28, 2016


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