MWL1 Cedar Rapids Kernels

Lewis Shines in Kernels' Twin Bill Split

Published on May 27, 2018 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release


CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - Royce Lewis recorded his first career multi-homer game along with a walk-off sacrifice fly Sunday at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium during the Cedar Rapids Kernels' doubleheader split with the Clinton LumberKings. Clinton won the opener in 10 innings, 9-4, before Lewis' heroics ended Cedar Rapids' 3-2 eight-inning win.

Each of Lewis' home runs gave the Kernels early leads within game one. He lifted a first-inning solo shot to left field for a 1-0 advantage, but Clinton tied the contest in the next inning when Johnny Adams scored during a double play. Lewis put Cedar Rapids back in front during the third with a two-run blast to left field that secured a 3-1 edge.

Clinton's back-to-back sacrifice flies in the sixth evened the score, 3-3. The LumberKings loaded the bases to start the frame before Ryan Costello and Eugene Helder each flied out to drive in runs.

Game one remained tied until both teams scored within the ninth. Billy Cooke hit into a sacrifice double play that allowed Costello to give Clinton a 4-3 lead. Cedar Rapids answered in its half of the frame with an RBI infield single by Ben Rortvedt.

The LumberKings claimed Sunday's opener in the 10th after a five-run rally. Joseph Rosa registered a go-ahead triple and later scored on Ariel Sandoval's sacrifice fly. Near the end of the inning, back-to-back-to-back two-out RBI hits from Costello, Helder, and Nick Thurman pushed Clinton to its winning margin of 9-4.

Marvin Gorgas (3-0) picked up the win, and Moises Gomez (0-1) took the loss. Gorgas only allowed one unearned run in three innings pitched. Gomez was tagged for six runs including four earned runs over two frames.

On the third pitch of game two, Rosa lifted Clinton to a 1-0 lead. Rosa hit a solo home run over the right-field wall to open the scoring in the first inning of the nightcap.

The Kernels were scoreless until plating the game-tying run late in the seventh. Back-to-back one-out singles by Jose Miranda and Jean Carlos Arias set up Ben Rodriguez for a sacrifice fly to bring in pinch-runner Jordan Gore and tie the game, 1-1.

After allowing a run within the top of the eighth, Cedar Rapids scored twice and grabbed a 3-2 walk-off win. Clinton surged in front on Rosa's RBI single, but the lead was lost later in the frame on Jacob Pearson's game-tying infield single. Lewis batted next and delivered a sacrifice fly that drove in Andrew Bechtold for the winning run.

Nick Brown (1-2) allowed an unearned run in the eighth but also received credit for the victory. Nick Wells (3-3) went the distance and gave up three total runs in a loss after opening the contest with six shutout innings.

This homestand continues Monday with Cedar Rapids hosting Clinton at 12:05 p.m. on Memorial Day. The probable pitchers for the contest are Kernels southpaw Tyler Watson (2-2, 3.94) and LumberKings left-hander Steven Moyers (0-0, 0.00). Fans unable to attend the game 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.

Mark Down Monday includes regular hot dogs for $1.50 apiece and small popcorn, chips, and ice cream sandwiches for $1.00 each. Also available at Monday's matinee is a Noon Game Lunch Combo, an $8.50 package that consists of a regular sandwich, a choice of chips or popcorn, and a 16 oz. regular draft beer or 20 oz. bottled soda or water.

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 May 27, 2018


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