MWL1 Cedar Rapids Kernels

Kernels Win Second-Half Opener, 5-1

Published on June 23, 2016 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release


CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - The Cedar Rapids Kernels rattled off a five-run second-inning rally and cruised to a 5-1 win Thursday over the Beloit Snappers to open the second half of the 2016 Midwest League season. This was the fourth consecutive year that the Kernels won in their first second-half home game at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

In the second inning, Cedar Rapids (1-0, 37-33) surged to a 5-0 lead against Midwest League All-Star Evan Manarino. Rainis Silva and Brad Hartong collected RBI singles before Sean Miller and Daniel Kihle each drove in additional runs while reaching on errors. Zander Wiel capped the scoring with a sacrifice fly.

Manarino ultimately exited Thursday's contest after a season-low 2.2 innings pitched while allowing a season-high five runs - three earned - in his shortest outing of the year.

Beloit (0-1, 32-38) only answered with one run during the top of the third. The Snappers loaded the bases for Trent Gilbert, who brought in Jordan Devencenzi on an RBI groundout to cut Beloit's deficit to 5-1.

Kernels starting pitcher Miles Nordgren did not allow any further damage on his way to a victory. Nordgren tossed six innings, giving up just one earned run and three hits while totaling five strikeouts. Thursday's appearance was his third straight quality start and his fifth quality start over his last six outings.

Nordgren improved to 3-3 as the winning pitcher against Manarino, who dropped to 6-3 with the loss. Neither bullpen allowed any runs, and Beloit's Victor Veliz highlighted Thursday's relievers with 4.1 shutout innings pitched.

Game two of this four-game series will begin at 6:35 p.m. Friday as Kernels right-hander Eddie Del Rosario (0-1, 5.65 ERA) starts against Snappers right-hander Michael Murray (2-1, 2.22 ERA). Catch all of the coverage with Morgan Hawk and Chris Kleinhans-Schulz on 1450 KMRY AM and 93.1 KMRY FM and online at www.kmryradio.com, www.kernels.com and MiLB.TV.

Friday is Halfway to Christmas Night, and the Kernels will wear special Christmas jerseys that will be sold at the game via silent auction to benefit the East Central Iowa Autism Society. The first 1,000 fans through the gates will get a Mr. Shucks Snowman Soap/Lotion Dispenser, and fans can also meet Santa and Mrs. Claus at the contest. Join the 98.1 KHAK Kernels Friday Mug Club by purchasing a 16 oz. souvenir mug for $6, and fans can get $3 refills on regular draft beer or soda for their souvenir mugs at every Friday home game.

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.

Check out the Cedar Rapids Kernels Statistics

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Midwest League Stories from June 23, 2016


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