Cedar Rapids Wins Pitchers' Duel Saturday

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - Josh Winder, Brian Rapp, and Joe Record combined for a team-season-high 15 strikeouts Saturday and carried the Cedar Rapids Kernels to a 2-1 victory against the Burlington Bees at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium. The Kernels (4-6) also clinched a series win heading into Sunday's finale with the Bees (6-4).
Winder and Burlington's Cristopher Molina opened Saturday's showdown. Winder posted a career-best nine strikeouts while allowing just one run and three hits over five innings pitched. Molina also yielded one run and three hits while recording a team-high five strikeouts in 4.2 innings.

The Kernels picked up a 1-0 lead via wild pitch in the bottom of the second. Michael Davis extended the frame on a two-out walk and reached third base after a single from Yeltsin Encarnacion. A wild pitch to Gilberto Celestino bounced towards the Burlington dugout while Davis scampered home.
During the fifth inning, the Bees tied the game at 1-1. Gleyvin Pineda led off with a single and later stole second base. Following a two-out walk for Michael Stefanic, Jordyn Adams singled to drive in Pineda and even the contest.
Cedar Rapids scored the tie-breaking run on a wild play at the end of the seventh. With two runners aboard and two out, Andrew Bechtold hit a full-count ground ball that led to a throwing error from Austin Krzeminski. Trey Cabbage, who was running on the pitch, scored from second base, but Chris Williams was thrown out trying to come in from first. Cabbage's run pushed the Kernels to their winning margin of 2-1.
Rapp (1-0) earned the victory with three shutout innings of relief. Record claimed his second save of the season and struck out three batters in the final frame for the second time in as many saves this year.
Krzeminski (0-1) conceded one unearned run over 3.1 innings pitched but his own error allowed the deciding run to score in a losing decision.
This three-game series concludes Sunday with Cedar Rapids hosting Burlington at 2:05 p.m., and Kernels right-hander Andrew Cabezas (0-0, 0.00) will face Bees right-hander Kyle Tyler (0-0, 13.50). Catch the action 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.
Western Fraternal Life Kids Eat Free Sunday invites all children aged 12 and under to receive a coupon for a free hot dog, popcorn, and drink at the concession stand. Run the Bases Sunday presented by Prairie Farms and 104.5 KDAT encourages fans to come on the field after the game to run the bases, play catch, and get autographs from the Kernels. Travel Advisors Baseball Bingo features a chance to win a trip to Minneapolis to watch 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.