Kernels Outhit Bees, Fall in Finale

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - The Cedar Rapids Kernels outhit the Burlington Bees during a Sunday series finale at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium, but Burlington won a 6-2 decision. Despite the loss, Cedar Rapids (4-7) claimed a 2-1 series victory over Burlington (7-4). Each of Cedar Rapids' last three defeats have come in contests when the Kernels outhit the opposition.
Alexis Olmeda lifted the Bees to a 4-0 advantage within the second inning. A double and two walks loaded the bases before Olmeda crushed a grand slam into the Plumbers & Pipefitters Pavilion. Olmeda's home run was his first professional grand slam and the third four-run blast by a Midwest League batter this season.

Burlington increased its lead to 6-0 in the top of the fourth. Michael Stefanic hit a bases-loaded single to drive in Gleyvin Pineda, and Livan Soto followed with a sacrifice fly that plated Olmeda.
The Kernels were shut out over the first eight innings by Kyle Tyler (1-0), Connor Higgins, and Matt Leon. Tyler only yielded three hits and two walks in five-plus frames for his first victory. Higgins posted two scoreless and hitless innings of relief, and Leon kept Cedar Rapids off the scoreboard during the eighth.
Cedar Rapids broke up the shutout in ninth inning but still fell short. The Kernels loaded the bases with one out, and Michael Davis singled off Leon to bring in Trey Cabbage. Hunter Lee batted next and produced a sacrifice fly that drove in Jacob Pearson. Cedar Rapids finished the game with six hits compared to Burlington's five safeties.
Andrew Cabezas (0-1) gave up a career-high six runs over four innings and was tagged with the loss. Zach Neff and Jose Martinez combined for five scoreless innings out of the bullpen. Neff, who posted a career-high five strikeouts, was the first left-hander pitcher to face Burlington this year.
Up next, Cedar Rapids will play Quad Cities at 6:35 p.m. Monday at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium. The probable pitchers are Kernels right-hander Luis Rijo (0-1, 3.60) and River Bandits right-hander Shawn Dubin (0-0, 1.50). Chris Kleinhans-Schulz will call the contest on 1450 KMRY AM and 93.1 KMRY FM and also online at www.kmryradio.com and www.kernels.com.
The three-game series between the Kernels and the River Bandits was moved to Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium due to flooding from the Mississippi River around Modern Woodmen Park in Davenport, Iowa. Quad Cities will remain the home team for the series, and all games are scheduled for 6:35 p.m. with the gates opening at 5:30 p.m. each day.
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.