MWL1 Cedar Rapids Kernels

Snappers Defeat Kernels to Open Series

Published on August 4, 2018 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release


CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - In a contest featuring the top two teams in Western Division second-half playoff race, the Beloit Snappers earned a 5-3 win Saturday against the Cedar Rapids Kernels in front of 3,944 fans at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium. The Snappers (25-15, 57-52) are one game behind the division-leading Kernels (27-15, 59-52) after winning the opener of a three-game series.

Beloit and Cedar Rapids each scored a pair of two-out runs in the first inning. Four consecutive Snappers singles, including RBI hits from Miguel Mercedes and Jack Meggs, gave Beloit a quick 2-0 lead. The Kernels tied the contest in their half of the first with back-to-back RBI doubles from Ryan Jeffers and Ben Rodriguez.

During the second inning, Jesus Lage pushed the Snappers back in front, 4-2. Ryan Gridley drew a leadoff walk, and Lage followed with a two-run home run to left field.

The Kernels climbed within 4-3 in the bottom of the third. An Akil Baddoo single and walks for Jose Miranda and Jeffers loaded the bases. Ben Rodriguez drove in Baddoo with a sacrifice fly, but that would be Cedar Rapids' only run of the inning.

Meggs drove Beloit to its winning margin of 5-3 during the top of the sixth. Meggs lifted an opposite-field solo shot to left field that doubled the Snappers' lead.

Ivan Andueza (2-8) allowed three runs over six innings and picked up the victory as part of a quality start. Nick Highberger added two scoreless innings for his team-high fifth hold, and Seth Martinez stranded the potential game-tying runs in the ninth for the save. Martinez tops all Western Division pitchers with 13 saves this season.

Jordan Balazovic (5-3) was tagged for five runs in six innings pitched within a losing decision. Balazovic led all pitchers Saturday with seven strikeouts.

This three-game series continues Sunday at 2:05 p.m. with Kernels right-hander Jhoan Durán (6-4, 4.27) scheduled to face Snappers right-hander Mitchell Jordan (5-2, 2.23). Chris Kleinhans-Schulz will call Sunday's tilt on 1450 KMRY AM and 93.1 KMRY FM and also online at www.kmryradio.com, www.kernels.com, and MiLB.TV.

The Hovick Family Farm Petting Zoo will be at the ballpark. Magician Colin Otto, Papa Balloon, and Face Painting by Kennedy will be available as well. All kids aged 12 and under get a voucher for a free hot dog, popcorn, and 12 oz. soda or bottled water for Western Fraternal Life Kids Eat Free Sunday. After the game, fans can run the bases, play catch in the outfield, and get autographs from the Kernels courtesy of Prairie Farms and 104.5 KDAT. Travel Advisors Baseball Bingo includes an opportunity to qualify for a chance to win a trip to Minneapolis and see a Minnesota Twins game.

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 August 4, 2018


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