Colina, Kernels Collect 3-2 Win

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - Edwar Colina limited the Beloit Snappers to two unearned runs over a career-high eight innings of work and carried the Cedar Rapids Kernels to a 3-2 triumph Monday at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium. With the win, Cedar Rapids (28-16, 60-53) now holds a one-game lead over Beloit (26-16, 58-53) in the Western Division second-half playoff race.
In the longest outing of his professional career, Colina (6-3) notched his fourth consecutive quality start and third victory in a row. He struck out the side during the first inning and racked up a near-career-high eight strikeouts to lead all pitchers in Monday's tilt.

Beloit scored in the top of the third inning for an early 1-0 lead. Ryan Gridley reached on a one-out single coupled with an error, and Jesus Lage produced a groundout followed by an error that allowed Gridley to come home.
The Kernels moved ahead, 2-1, within their half of the third inning. Michael Davis belted a game-tying solo home run to right field to begin the frame. Ariel Montesino added a double and later scored the go-ahead on an error during a double play attempt.
Montesino stretched Cedar Rapids' lead to 3-1 on a strange play in the fifth. After leading off with a triple, Montesino was at third base when a pitch to Akil Baddoo bounced into the catcher's equipment of Jordan Devencenzi. Montesino was awarded home plate on the play and officially scored via wild pitch.
The Snappers closed the gap to 3-2 with their latest unearned run during the eighth. A missed catch error put Gridley at first base before Lage lifted an RBI double off the left-field wall.
Kevin Marnon replaced Colina in the ninth and secured his third save in as many chances to protect Cedar Rapids' 3-2 lead. Marnon fanned Austin Beck, induced a groundout from Hunter Hargrove, and struck out Logan Farrar within a perfect frame.
Brady Feigl (0-1) was tagged for two runs over two-plus innings pitched and took the loss in his Midwest League debut. Jared Poche'' allowed an inherited run to score that was charged to Feigl and also gave up one run of his own through six innings of relief.
The Midwest League will be idle Tuesday before Cedar Rapids returns to action Wednesday at the Clinton LumberKings. Wednesday's series opener is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., and the probable pitchers are Kernels left-hander Tyler Watson (4-5, 4.76) and LumberKings right-hander Ryne Inman (3-8, 4.92). 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.
Cedar Rapids' next homestand begins Monday, August 13 and continues through Friday, August 17. 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.