Cedar Rapids, Quad Cities Split Twin Bill

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - The Cedar Rapids Kernels picked up a 9-4 win Monday to open a doubleheader split with the Quad Cities River Bandits at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Josh Winder recorded a complete-game victory for the Kernels (16-21) while Matt Ruppenthal led Quad Cities (22-11) to a 7-0 combined shutout in the nightcap.
In the doubleheader opener, the Kernels jumped out to a 4-0 lead within the first inning. Gabe Snyder put Cedar Rapids ahead on an RBI groundout, and Jacob Pearson added a run of his own via passed ball. Later in the frame, Gabriel Maciel hit a two-run single that plated Chris Williams and Gilberto Celestino.

Quad Cities answered with Alex Holderbach's two-run home run in the second, but Cedar Rapids would extend its lead to 9-2 during the fourth. Snyder launched a three-run blast for his third round-tripper of the season and his second in as many games. Andrew Bechtold drove in two more runs with a double to close the scoring in the rally.
Winder (2-1) gave up two final runs in the seventh inning but still powered his way to the finish for his second complete game in a row to earn the victory. R.J. Freure (1-1) gave up nine runs including eight earned runs in 3.1 innings within his first professional loss. He had only allowed five runs in his career prior to Monday's defeat.
The River Bandits scored all seven runs during the doubleheader finale. Jeremy Pena put Quad Cities ahead in the third inning with a two-run triple and came home via fielder's choice off the bat of David Hensley. Within the sixth, Hensley scored on a wild pitch, and Ross Adolph registered a two-run triple. Jonathan Lacroix's seventh-inning sacrifice fly secured a 7-0 margin.
Ruppenthal (2-0) tallied a career-high eight strikeouts to win the three-hit shutout while Jonathan Bermudez closed the contest with scoreless and hitless relief. Austin Schulfer (3-2) conceded three runs over three innings and took the loss for Cedar Rapids.
This four-game, three-day series continues Tuesday at 6:35 p.m. with Kernels right-hander Luis Rijo (0-3, 4.05) and River Bandits right-hander Cody Deason (1-1, 4.82) scheduled to start against each other. Fans unable to attend the game can follow the action on 1450 KMRY AM and 93.1 KMRY and also online at www.kmryradio.com, www.kernels.com, and MiLB.TV.
Great Clips Twins Tuesday features a special 2-for-1 ticket offer available on the Kernels email newsletter and Facebook page. The Kernels will wear special Twins-themed jerseys for the tilt, and one lucky fan at Tuesday's contest will win a pair of tickets to a Minnesota Twins game.
Fans can purchase tickets for all Cedar Rapids 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 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.