MWL1 Cedar Rapids Kernels

Kirilloff Clubs 10th Homer of Season Sunday

Published on June 3, 2018 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release


BURLINGTON, IOWA - A solo home run from Alex Kirilloff opened the scoring Sunday at Community Field, and Franklin Torres finished the game with a two-run, walk-off blast that pushed the Burlington Bees to a 10-9 victory over the Cedar Rapids Kernels. Burlington (24-33) won the three-game series by a 2-1 margin against Cedar Rapids (26-28).

Kirilloff joined Lansing Lugnut Brock Lundquist atop the Midwest League in home runs with his 10th round-tripper of the year. Batting with two outs in the top of the first, Kirilloff crushed a solo shot to right field to give the Kernels a 1-0 lead. He also notched his 45th run batted in to become the league's sole leader in the category.

Cedar Rapids increased its lead to 2-0 on Trey Cabbage's second-inning RBI groundout before Burlington surged in front. An error on a pickoff attempt allowed Julio Garcia to score. Connor Fitzsimons reached third base the play and later scored during an RBI single from Leonardo Rivas. Spencer Griffin followed with a three-run homer that put the Bees ahead, 5-2.

Gleyvin Pineda recorded his first home run in the third inning for a 6-2 lead that was untouched until the fifth. Cabbage drew a leadoff walk, and Andrew Bechtold collected a single. Ben Rodriguez batted next and launched a three-run blast that trimmed Cedar Rapids' deficit to 6-5.

Royce Lewis leveled the contest at 6-6 within the seventh inning. Akil Baddoo beat a throw to first on a potential inning-ending double play to extend the frame. Lewis drilled a double to right-center field on the next pitch to drive Baddoo home.

The Kernels scored three runs to start a busy eighth inning that left the score at 9-8 Cedar Rapids. Cabbage hit a sacrifice fly to bring in Jose Miranda. Bechtold singled past a drawn-in infield for two more runs. Pineda answered for the Bees with a solo round-tripper to secure his first multi-homer game. Zane Gurwitz added an RBI double near the end of the inning.

Torres provided the finishing blow during the bottom of the ninth. Kevin Williams drew a one-out walk, and Torres lifted a game-ending home run over the right-field wall to cap Burlington's 10-9 victory.

Anfernee Benitez (1-0) struck out the side in the final frame and picked up credit for the win. Carlos Suniaga (2-4) was charged with a blown save and a loss Sunday.

After a day off Monday, Cedar Rapids returns to action Tuesday with a five-game, three-game series against Beloit. The series starts with back-to-back doubleheaders including a traditional twin bill at 5:35 p.m. Tuesday. Each game is scheduled for seven innings, and there will be a 30-minute break between tilts. Fans unable to attend the doubleheader Tuesday can follow the action on 1450 KMRY AM and 93.1 KMRY FM and also online at www.kmryradio.com, www.kernels.com, and MiLB.TV.

Great Clips Twins Tuesday includes a special 2-for-1 ticket offer available on the Kernels' Facebook page and email newsletter. One lucky fan at the ballpark Tuesday will win a pair of tickets to a Minnesota Twins game. Plus, the Kernels wear special jerseys during each Tuesday at home this season. Those jerseys will be sold later this season via silent auction.

Fans can purchase tickets for all Cedar Rapids home games by visiting www.kernels.com, going to the Kernels Ticket Office, or calling (319) 896-7560. The Kernels Ticket Office is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. On Sundays when the Kernels have a home game, the Kernels Ticket Office will open at 11:00 a.m.

Check out the Cedar Rapids Kernels Statistics

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Midwest League Stories from June 3, 2018


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