Lewis, Rodriguez Drive Kernels to 5-4 Win

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - A three-run home run from Royce Lewis and a two-run, inside-the-park homer by Ben Rodriguez highlighted a 5-4 Cedar Rapids Kernels triumph Thursday against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Cedar Rapids (1-0, 33-37) claimed a victory in its second-half opener for the fourth year in a row.
Wisconsin (0-1, 31-39) opened the scoring in the second inning. After a two-out walk from Zach Clark and a single for Kenny Corey, Jay Feliciano doubled to drive in both runners and push the Timber Rattlers to a 2-0 lead.

Lewis lifted the Kernels in front, 3-2, during the third. David Banuelos collected a one-out double prior to a single by Akil Baddoo. Lewis followed with a three-run blast to left field that secured a career-high-tying six-game hit streak.
In the top of the fifth inning, Wisconsin tied the contest at 3-3. Tristen Lutz started the frame with a double and advanced to third base on a Trever Morrison fly out. Payton Henry drove in Lutz with an RBI single.
The Timber Rattlers regained the lead, 4-3, within the sixth. Clark registered a leadoff single, stole second base, and moved up during a groundout from Corey. Feliciano singled for his third hit and third run batted in.
Rodriguez's inside-the-park home run in the home half of the sixth put Cedar Rapids ahead, 5-4. He hit a fly ball that landed on the right-field warning track while Lutz crashed into the wall trying to make the catch. Rodriguez hustled home and tallied the deciding run on the Kernels' first inside-the-park homer since Trey Vavra's round-tripper May 19, 2015 at the Peoria Chiefs.
Randy Dobnak (5-2) and Jovani Moran pitched Cedar Rapids to the win Thursday. Dobnak allowed four runs in 6.1 innings pitched and recorded his team-high fifth win. Moran tossed 2.2 perfect innings of relief for his team-best third save. Moran also struck out five consecutive batters to begin his flawless outing.
Christian Taugner (2-6) took the loss for the Timber Rattlers. He allowed a career-high 10 hits and five earned runs over 5.2 innings of work.
Game two of this four-game series is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. Friday. The probable pitchers are Kernels right-hander Bailey Ober (3-1, 5.58) and Timber Rattlers right-hander Dylan File (5-3, 3.67). Morgan Hawk will call the contest on 1450 KMRY AM, 93.1 KMRY FM, and KCRG 9.2 and also online at www.kmryradio.com, www.kernels.com, and MiLB.TV.
The first 1,000 fans through the gates Friday will receive a free Harry Potter wand and keychain as part of Harry Potter Night. Cedar Rapids and Wisconsin will wear special Gryffindor and Slytherin jerseys, respectively. The jerseys, which are sponsored by Alliant Energy, will be auctioned off during the contest to support HACAP's Operation Backpack. Friday is also Kernels Mug Club Night presented by Stadium Bar & Grill, Shuey's Restaurant & Lounge, Red's Public House, Mulligan's Pub, and Z102.9.
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.