Beloit Tops Cedar Rapids in Series Finale

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - The Cedar Rapids Kernels were denied in another sweep opportunity against the Beloit Snappers within a 4-3 loss Monday at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Beloit (22-28, 49-69) picked up exactly one victory in all four series played so far against Cedar Rapids (29-21, 68-52) with the Kernels winning the series every time.
Josh Winder limited the damage over five innings of work, but the Snappers managed to jump in front, 1-0. His lone run allowed came in the third when Max Schuemann's RBI double plated Joseph Pena and put Beloit ahead.

Beloit extended its lead to 3-0 against Alex Schick within the top of the sixth inning. Devin Foyle led off the frame with his team-high-tying sixth home run of the season. Nick Ward padded the advantage on a sacrifice fly that drove in Skyler Weber.
Richard Guasch and Joe DeMers (4-3) kept the Kernels scoreless until Cedar Rapids pulled even during the eighth. Gilberto Celestino hit an RBI double to bring in Daniel Ozoria, and Gabe Snyder followed with a two-run home run to tie the contest at 3-3. Snyder's blast was his team-high 16th homer and the Midwest League-leading 98th round-tripper for the Kernels.
Rickey Ramirez (0-1) was perfect in relief before allowing the Snappers to claim their 4-3 winning margin in the ninth. Ward and Pena collected one-out singles to put runners at the corners. Schuemann batted next and grounded into an RBI force out with Ward coming home from third base.
DeMers received credit for the victory, and Charlie Cerny earned his active-team-high eighth save. Cerny gave up a two-out single but nothing else within the bottom of the ninth.
Cedar Rapids will be idle Tuesday before heading to Wisconsin to begin a 10-game road swing. Wednesday's opener starts at 7:05 p.m., and Kernels southpaw Kody Funderburk (0-2, 4.45) will start against Timber Rattlers right-hander Justin Jarvis (3-1, 2.84). Chris Kleinhans-Schulz will call the action on 1450 KMRY AM and 93.1 KMRY FM and also online at www.kmryradio.com and www.kernels.com.
Fans can purchase tickets for all 2019 Cedar Rapids Kernels home games including the playoff opener September 4 against the Quad Cities River Bandits by visiting www.kernels.com, going to the Kernels Ticket Office, or 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. On Sundays when the Kernels have a home game, the Kernels Ticket Office will open at 11:00 a.m.