Cedar Rapids Tops Clinton, 6-4

CLINTON, IOWA - Four consecutive runs over the seventh and eighth innings led the Cedar Rapids Kernels to a 6-4 victory Saturday against the Clinton LumberKings at Ashford University Field. Cedar Rapids (18-19) ended a four-game losing streak with Saturday's triumph and tied Clinton (21-17) at one win apiece within this three-game series.
The game was tied at 2-2 before the Kernels scored the go-ahead run during the seventh. David Banuelos drew a leadoff walk and advanced to third base on Jordan Gore's single. Gore stole second base on a full-count pitch to Akil Baddoo, and an error on the throw allowed Bañuelos to come home for a 3-2 Kernels lead.

Cedar Rapids added three more runs in the eighth to stretch the advantage to 6-2. Three consecutive singles brought in one run as Jose Miranda drove in Shane Carrier. Later in the inning, Gore produced a two-run single that drove Ben Rodriguez and Miranda home.
In the ninth, the LumberKings mounted a rally but fell short, 6-4. Dimas Ojeda extended the contest with a two-out double, and Greifer Andrade got on base due to a strikeout coupled with a wild pitch. Nick Thurman hit a two-run double to cut Clinton's deficit in half. Pinch-hitter Ryan Costello batted next but grounded out to end the game.
Both sides traded runs early in Saturday's contest. Alex Kirilloff hit an RBI single for the Kernels in the top of the first before Eugene Helder delivered a run-scoring single of his own within the bottom of the frame. Cedar Rapids regained the lead during the third on Carrier's RBI groundout, but Clinton answered in the fourth with a game-tying groundout from Ojeda.
Jovani Moran (2-1) earned the victory while Adonis De La Cruz (0-2) suffered the loss. Moran pitched 2.1 shutout innings and also worked around a two-on, two-out jam that he inherited within the fifth inning. De La Cruz was charged for four total runs including three earned runs in a losing decision.
Sunday's series finale between Cedar Rapids and Clinton is scheduled for 2:00 p.m., and Kernels right-hander Brusdar Graterol (1-0, 0.63) will start against LumberKings left-hander Oliver Jaskie (1-3, 5.52). Coverage of the series finale will be on 1450 KMRY AM and 93.1 KMRY FM and also online at www.kmryradio.com and www.kernels.com.
Cedar Rapids' next homestand starts Friday, May 25 and consists of nine games including two doubleheaders. 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.