Kernels' Late Rally Comes Up One Run Short

CLINTON, IOWA - The Cedar Rapids Kernels scored six runs in the top of the eighth inning while rallying from a 7-0 deficit Friday at Ashford University Field, but the Clinton LumberKings held on for a 7-6 victory. Clinton improved to 21-16 this year, and Cedar Rapids dropped to 17-19.
The LumberKings broke up a scoreless deadlock within the fifth inning and stretched their lead to 7-0 by the end of the sixth. Clinton scored two runs during the fifth including an RBI triple from Jack Larsen. Five runs came home in the sixth via four consecutive RBI hits, a streak that ended with Ariel Sandoval's two-run double.

After seven scoreless innings to start Friday's tilt, Cedar Rapids came through with six runs during the eighth. Trey Cabbage led off with a triple and scored on Jordan Gore's one-out single. A two-out, bases-loaded error later in the frame allowed Gore and Royce Lewis to score. Andrew Bechtold extended the inning with a walk, and Ben Rortvedt hit a three-run double that closed the gap to 7-6.
Despite the Kernels' big outburst, the LumberKings prevented the game-tying run from reaching home plate. An inning-ending strikeout in the eighth stranded Rortvedt, and David Banuelos was unable to score in the ninth following a leadoff single and a sacrifice bunt from Gore that pushed him to second base.
Tommy Romero (3-2) tossed a career-best seven shutout innings for his second victory in as many outings against the Kernels. He racked up seven strikeouts and allowed no baserunners to reach third base in a quality start. Collin Kober gave up all six Cedar Rapids runs in the eighth before Kyle Wilcox came in from the bullpen to record the final four outs and earn the save.
Blayne Enlow fired 4.1 scoreless innings for Cedar Rapids to start the game, but Nick Brown (0-2) was tagged for a career-high seven runs in relief. Jose Martinez added 2.2 hitless and scoreless frames from the sixth through the eighth.
The Kernels and the LumberKings continue this three-game series at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Cedar Rapids southpaw Bryan Sammons (0-3, 2.76) will face Clinton southpaw Raymond Kerr (1-3, 7.29). Fans can tune in to Saturday's 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 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.