Kernels Clinch First-Half Playoff Berth

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - The Cedar Rapids Kernels became the Western Division First-Half Wild Card with wins of 4-1 and 8-1 against the Clinton LumberKings coupled with a 7-2 Peoria Chiefs victory over the Burlington Bees. Cedar Rapids (39-31) was 6.5 games out of the wild-card spot one month ago but finished their playoff race comeback Sunday in front of a season-high home crowd of 3,994 fans at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
Sunday's action began with the completion of a suspended game from Saturday with the Kernels up, 2-0, after the first inning. Clinton (33-36) scored first in the resumption on a third-inning single by Bubba Hollins that trimmed the margin to 2-1.

The Kernels answered during the fifth and sixth innings to build a 4-1 lead. Gabriel Maciel singled in the fifth and later scored on a groundout followed by an error. Jared Akins hit a sixth-inning triple and came home via Andrew Bechtold's sacrifice fly.
Kai-Wei Teng (2-0) gave up just one run over 4.1 innings pitched in his home debut to earn the win. Jose Martinez picked up his first hold, and Moises Gomez posted his third save in as many chances. Jake Walters (0-2) gave up a two-run home run to Akins in the first inning Saturday and was charged with the loss.
Early in the seven-inning finale, Ben Rodriguez lifted Cedar Rapids to a 3-0 advantage. Maciel hit a leadoff double to open the first inning and Gabe Snyder added a walk. Both men remained on base until Rodriguez crushed a three-run homer. The LumberKings responded in the second on J.D. Osborne's solo shot, but it provided Clinton's only run of the contest.
Five late runs increased the lead to 8-1 Kernels. Jacob Pearson scored on Maciel's fifth-inning triple, and Snyder grounded into a fielder's choice that brought in Maciel. Wander Javier produced an RBI single to drive in Snyder. In the sixth inning, Snyder delivered a two-run double.
Zach Neff (3-1) pitched two scoreless innings of relief for the victory while Tanner Andrews (2-3) gave up a career-high-tying six runs over 4.2 innings within a losing decision. Derek Molina tossed a shutout frame to end the tilt and secure a team-record seventh consecutive postseason berth for Cedar Rapids. The Kernels tied for second place with the Bees (39-31) and qualified for the playoffs by virtue of a 6-4 head-to-head record.
Before the regular season continues, the Midwest League All-Star Game will be played at 7:35 p.m. ET Tuesday in South Bend, Indiana. Chris Williams is the Western Division's starting designated hitter, and he will compete in the Midwest League Home Run Derby at 7:30 p.m. ET Monday. Snyder and Josh Winder are going to represent Cedar Rapids in South Bend as well.
The second half of the 2019 Kernels season begins on the road Thursday at 6:35 p.m. with the opener of a four-game series with the Peoria Chiefs at Dozer Park. Chris Kleinhans-Schulz will call the tilt on 1450 KMRY AM and 93.1 KMRY FM and also online at www.kmryradio.com and www.kernels.com.
Cedar Rapids will host its next homestand Tuesday, June 25 through Monday, July 1. 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.