MWL1 Cedar Rapids Kernels

Kirilloff Extends Streaks in 10-Inning Loss

Published on May 9, 2018 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release


DAYTON, OHIO - Alex Kirilloff's team-high fifth home run led a late surge that forced an extra inning Wednesday for the Cedar Rapids Kernels, but the Dayton Dragons came away with a 5-4 victory in 10 innings at Fifth Third Field. Kirilloff secured a career-high-tying 10-game hit streak and recorded an extra-base hit for a ninth consecutive game, but Jeter Downs' 10th-inning RBI single was the difference in the finale of a three-game series.

The Dragons improved to 18-12 and picked up a series sweep despite being outhit by the Kernels (14-13) in each contest of a three-game set. Dayton also notched its ninth win over the past 10 games while Cedar Rapids suffered its fourth loss in a row.

Cedar Rapids left runners at the corners in the 10th prior to the walk-off single by Downs during the bottom of the inning. Pinch-runner Morgan Lofstrom started the frame at second base, and Jose Garcia was hit by a pitch to occupy first base. After Leandro Santana struck out on a foul bunt, Downs deposited a single in right field that drove in Lofstrom for a 5-4 win.

Dayton held a 4-1 lead before Cedar Rapids scored within the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings to tie the game at 4-4. Kirilloff hit an opposite-field solo shot in the sixth, and Akil Baddoo added an RBI single during the seventh to increase his on-base streak to 18 games. Ben Rodriguez scored the tying run in the eighth due to a Jose Miranda single coupled with an error.

A two-out rally in the fourth gave the Dragons their three-run advantage. Stuart Fairchild walked, stole second base and scored via John Sansone's RBI single. Narciso Crook followed with a two-run home run to push Dayton's lead to 4-1.

The Kernels and the Dragons traded runs early in Wednesday's series finale. David Bañuelos put Cedar Rapids ahead, 1-0, within the second inning with a sacrifice fly that plated Miranda. Dayton answered in the bottom of the third on a game-tying home run from Santana.

John Ghyzel (2-1) was the winning pitcher, and Jared Finkel (1-1) took the loss. Ghyzel stranded multiple runners in a scoreless top of the 10th. Finkel yielded an unearned run over 2.1 innings pitched in a losing decision.

This six-game Kernels road trip continues in Bowling Green, Kentucky with a three-game series against the Bowling Green Hot Rods. First pitch Thursday at Bowling Green Ballpark is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. with Kernels right-hander Randy Dobnak (3-0, 4.64) expected to start against Hot Rods southpaw Brendan McKay (1-0, 1.45). Chris Kleinhans-Schulz will call the contest on 1450 KMRY AM and 93.1 KMRY FM and also online at www.kmryradio.com and www.kernels.com.

Cedar Rapids' next homestand starts Monday, May 14 and includes five games against the Quad Cities River Bandits. 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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