Early offense, stellar relief guides Kernels to 6-2 win

Appleton, WI – A four-run first and 5.1 scoreless innings of relief provided by Brad Hanner and Bobby Milacki led the Cedar Rapids Kernels to a 6-2 win over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers on Thursday evening. Seven different Kernels had a base hit in the victory while the lineup coaxed eight walks at the dish. The Kernels improve to 58-35, 15-12 in the second half.

Cedar Rapids loaded up the bases with two down in the first, opening the scoring with a Pat Winkel bases-loaded free pass. Wander Javier laced a two-run single into right-center then Will Holland blasted a ground-rule double into the right field wall – pinning the ball between the wall and an advertising board – to make it 4-0.

Lefthander Aaron Rozek struck out six over 4.2 innings of two-run ball, scattering six hits and three walks as he took a no-decision.

Yunior Severino blasted a solo homer to center in the fifth to give Cedar Rapids a 5-2 lead.

Hanner entered with two down in the fifth, proceeding to fire 2.1 shutout frames with one strikeout. He allowed one baserunner on a walk, who he promptly picked off to face the minimum.

Aaron Sabato singled in the seventh, stole second, advanced to third on an error then scored on a balk.

Milacki closed things out with 2.0 scoreless, striking out three and working around three hits.

Kyler Fedko reached base four times by going 1-for-2 with three walks to set the tone at the top of the order.

Game four of the series is set for 6:40 p.m. CT on Friday evening in Appleton.

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