Cronin's Two Home Runs Lift Kernels to Win

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - Joe Cronin's first career multi-homer game highlighted a 7-4 Cedar Rapids Kernels triumph Friday night against the Great Lakes Loons at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Evan Sanders picked up his first victory as Cedar Rapids defeated Great Lakes to wrap up a three-game series.
Cronin had just one professional home run and was hitless in his last 22 at-bats before crushing two homers for the Kernels (12-16, 51-47). Cronin's first round-tripper Friday was a two-run shot in the third inning that gave the Kernels a 3-0 lead at that time. During the fifth, he led off with a go-ahead solo homer that put Cedar Rapids in front for good at 5-4.

The Kernels grabbed its first lead during the second inning of the series finale. Lewin Diaz doubled to open the inning and advanced to third base on a Hank Morrison single. Two batters later, Diaz scored on Caleb Hamilton's sacrifice fly for an early 1-0 Cedar Rapids advantage.
Both sides scored within the fourth. Brendon Davis broke up a no-hit bid for Sanders with a solo home run. Andre Jernigan doubled for Cedar Rapids in its half of the frame to bring in Trey Cabbage for a 4-1 edge.
Great Lakes (11-17, 47-50) rallied in the top of the fifth for a brief 4-4 tie. Cristian Santana clubbed a leadoff home run. Walks loaded the bases for the Loons, and a passed ball allowed Connor Wong to come home. Another walk followed by a wild pitch produced the game-tying run as Zach Reks came in from third base. The game only remained tied until Cronin's go-ahead blast.
Cabbage stretched the Kernels' lead to 7-4 with runs in the sixth and eighth innings. He led off the sixth on a double and reached third base after a single from Hamilton before scoring via passed ball. During the eighth, Cabbage reached on an error and got into scoring position following a wild pitch. Hamilton doubled to drive in Cabbage for the game's final run.
Sanders (1-2) was the winning pitcher Friday. He had a career-high seven strikeouts and five walks over a personal-best five innings pitched. Colton Davis followed with two scoreless innings of relief to earn his fourth hold of the season. Hector Lujan added two shutout frames to close the contest and notch his team-best ninth save.
A.J. Alexy (2-5) tallied a career-high nine strikeouts but also allowed five runs over 4.2 innings pitched within a losing decision for Great Lakes.
Up next, Cedar Rapids will host the Lansing Lugnuts for a three-game series starting Saturday at 6:35 p.m. at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Kernels right-hander Griffin Jax (1-1, 2.29) will pitch against Lugnuts right-hander Andy Ravel (6-4, 7.01). Catch the coverage with Chris Kleinhans-Schulz on 1450 KMRY AM and 93.1 KMRY FM and also online at www.kmryradio.com, www.kernels.com, and MiLB.TV.
Postgame fireworks are scheduled to follow Saturday's contest, and the first 1,000 fans through the gates will receive a free time turner as part of Harry Potter Night. Fans can purchase tickets for all Kernels 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.