River Bandits Edge Kernels Wednesday

DAVENPORT, IOWA - The Quad Cities River Bandits defeated the Cedar Rapids Kernels, 4-2, Wednesday evening at Modern Woodmen Park. Quad Cities also grabbed a 2-1 series lead within this four-game series, which will come to a close Thursday night at 7:00 p.m.

A tight contest was highlighted by strong starts by Quad Cities' Jose Hernandez and Cedar Rapids' Miles Nordgren. Hernandez matched a career-high with seven innings pitched, allowing just two runs in a quality start. Nordgren went the distance in a personal-best eight innings and gave up four runs while totaling a game-high nine strikeouts.

Quad Cities (3-4, 34-42) took an early 1-0 advantage in the second inning. A two-out RBI single from Arturo Michelena drove in Anthony Hermelyn to put the River Bandits ahead.

The Kernels (4-3, 40-36) briefly tied the game in the third inning before the River Bandits reclaimed the lead. Jermaine Palacios hit a sacrifice fly that scored Brian Olson. During the bottom of the third, Hermelyn recorded an RBI single that brought in Kyle Tucker for a 2-1 River Bandits lead.

Another run boosted Quad Cities' lead to 3-1 in the bottom of the sixth. Hermelyn scored from first base just before Kristian Trompiz was thrown out trying to stretch his RBI double into a triple. The run still counted for a critical insurance tally.

The Kernels pulled within 3-2 during the seventh inning. Luis Arraez collected an RBI single plated Sean Miller and kept Cedar Rapids right behind Quad Cities.

Hermelyn once again scored a run for the River Bandits in the eighth, bringing Quad Cities to its winning margin of 4-2. An RBI double from Connor Goedert drove in Hermelyn, who either scored or batted in all four River Bandits runs Wednesday.

Hernandez (1-2) notched his first win of the season against Nordgren (3-4), who took the loss despite a complete game. Adam Whitt tossed two perfect innings for his fifth save. It was also the longest save of Whitt's professional career.

Cedar Rapids and Quad Cities close this four-game series at 7:00 p.m. Thursday. Kernels right-hander Eddie Del Rosario (0-1, 5.85 ERA) will face River Bandits right-hander Yoanys Quiala (0-5, 4.45 ERA). Listen to the action with Chris Kleinhans-Schulz on 1450 KMRY AM and 93.1 KMRY FM and online at www.kmryradio.com and www.kernels.com.

The next Kernels homestand begins Independence Day at 5:05 p.m. against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers and continues through Monday, July 11. 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.