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MWL Cedar Rapids Kernels

Kernels Reach 100-Homer Threshold

August 4, 2021 - Midwest League (MWL)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release


CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Home runs by DaShawn Keirsey Jr. and Max Smith pushed the Cedar Rapids Kernels to a team total of 100 round-trippers this season, but Wednesday's game was won by the Quad Cities River Bandits, 8-5, at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium. The Kernels (44-36) are on a franchise-record pace with 1.25 homers per contest.

Back-to-back doubles in the first inning gave Cedar Rapids a quick 1-0 lead. Edouard Julien's leadoff two-bagger was followed by Alex Isola's RBI double that opened the scoring.

Quad Cities (53-25) homered its way into a second-inning advantage before Cedar Rapids leveled the game at 2-2. Jake Means hit a two-run blast and put the River Bandits ahead, but Keirsey's solo shot brought the Kernels into a tie.

The River Bandits went in front for good during a four-run fourth inning. Logan Porter's two-run clout highlighted the outburst. Tucker Bradley added a run-scoring single, and Nathan Eaton produced an RBI force out for a 6-2 edge.

Both teams tallied two runs within the sixth. Quad Cities plated two runs when an error prevented the completion of an inning-ending double play. Yunior Severino answered for the Kernels with a double that trimmed their deficit to 8-4.

Smith went deep to bring in the final run of the contest. His seventh-inning solo home run brought Cedar Rapids within 8-5 and lifted the Kernels to 100 homers across just 80 games played this year.

Charlie Neuweiler (2-1) allowed four runs in 5.1 innings pitched but also tallied a game-high eight strikeouts in a winning decision, and Peyton Gray closed the River Bandit victory to earn his fifth save. Tyler Watson (2-2) was tagged with six runs over 3.1 innings pitched as Wednesday's losing pitcher.

Cedar Rapids and Quad Cities return to action Thursday at 6:35 p.m. with Kernels right-hander Ben Gross (4-0, 2.48) expected to pitch against River Bandits left-hander Anthony Veneziano (2-3, 4.21). Broadcast coverage with Chris Kleinhans-Schulz will be available on www.kernels.com and MiLB.TV.

There will be four 50-inch big screen televisions given away as part of the next Big Screen Thursday presented by First Federal Credit Union and 104.5 KDAT. Any fan aged 18 or older is eligible for a raffle ticket from the First Federal Credit Union table on the concourse. Participants must be present to win.

Fans can purchase tickets for all Cedar Rapids Kernels home games by visiting www.kernels.com, going to the Kernels Ticket Office, or 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. 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 August 4, 2021


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