Kernels Shut Out by Atomic Pork Chops

GENEVA, ILL. - The Kane County Atomic Pork Chops, an alternate identity for the Kane County Cougars, rolled to an 8-0 shutout win Thursday night against the Cedar Rapids Kernels at Northwestern Medicine Field. Kane County (32-14, 67-48) clinched a series victory in this three-game set heading into Friday's finale.
A four-run, two-out rally in the fourth gave the Atomic Pork Chops more than enough to win Thursday's tilt. Kristian Robinson hit a two-run triple and scored on Nick Dalesandro's RBI single. Joey Rose added a single coupled with an error that allowed Dalesandro to come home from first base for a 4-0 lead.

Kane County extended its edge to 5-0 during the bottom of the sixth inning. Robinson, the No. 2 prospect in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization, launched his first Midwest League home run to center field.
The Atomic Pork Chops secured an advantage of 8-0 within the seventh. Zack Shannon drove a three-run blast to left field for his team-high 11th homer this season.
Levi Kelly (5-0) and Ryan Fritze combined for a four-hit shutout against Cedar Rapids (27-19, 66-50). Kelly tossed a game-high six strikeouts over six shutout innings in a quality start to earn the victory. Fritze notched his first save for Kane County by working the final three frames.
The loss went to Luis Rijo (4-7). He allowed four runs including three earned runs over five innings pitched within his seventh defeat overall.
This three-game series wraps up Friday evening with first pitch at 6:30 p.m. at Northwestern Medicine Field. Cedar Rapids right-hander Matt Canterino (0-0, 0.00) and Kane County right-hander Adrian Del Moral (2-2, 3.24) are the probable pitchers. Chris Kleinhans-Schulz will have the call on 1450 KMRY AM and 93.1 KMRY FM and also online at www.kmryradio.com and www.kernels.com.
Cedar Rapids will be back at home August 10 to begin three-game homestand. 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.