Miranda's Grand Slam Lifts Kernels to 11-3 Win

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - Jose Miranda finished a triple shy of the cycle Saturday evening and clubbed a go-ahead grand slam for the Cedar Rapids Kernels in an 11-3 triumph over the Lake County Captains in front of 2,948 fans at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Cedar Rapids (16-7, 48-44) registered a season-high 19 hits while taking a 1-0 advantage in this three-game series with its third victory in a row.
Lake County (11-12, 40-53) jumped out to a 2-0 lead on Elvis Perez's two-run single in the top of the first before Cedar Rapids answered in the home half of the inning. Akil Baddoo hit a one-out single for the Kernels and scored on Miranda's RBI double to close the gap to 2-1.

A grand slam by Miranda opened the scoring in a five-run fifth inning that put Cedar Rapids ahead for good. His bases-clearing blast was the Kernels' league-high sixth grand slam this season. David Banuelos added a sacrifice fly later in the fifth to give the Kernels a 6-2 edge.
Jonathan Laureano launched a leadoff solo shot for the Captains within the sixth, but the Kernels tallied the final five runs of the contest. Jacob Pearson scored in the sixth via wild pitch. Andrew Bechtold's RBI single and Baddoo's two-run double increased Cedar Rapids' lead during the seventh. Robby Rinn capped Saturday's scoring with an RBI double in the eighth for an 11-3 final margin.
Miranda finished the contest with five runs batted in along with a season-high four hits. He also became the Midwest League's individual grand slam leader by hitting his third four-run round-tripper of the year. Bechtold also collected four hits to set a new career high. Rinn went 3-of-4 and finished a home run shy of hitting for the cycle. Seven of Cedar Rapids' season-high 19 hits came in succession to begin the fifth inning.
Jordan Balazovic (5-1) limited the Captains to two runs over five innings pitched and picked up his fourth consecutive win. Juan Hillman (3-9) gave up six runs and a season-high 11 hits in five frames within a losing decision.
Cedar Rapids will host Lake County at 2:05 p.m. Sunday in game two of this three-game series. Kernels left-hander Bryan Sammons (5-4, 2.40) is slated to pitch against Captains right-hander Gregori Vasquez (3-4, 3.86). Chris Kleinhans-Schulz will call the game on 1450 KMRY AM and 93.1 KMRY FM and also online at www.kmryradio.com, www.kernels.com, and MiLB.TV.
Western Fraternal Life Kids Eat Free Sunday includes a voucher for a free hot dog, popcorn, and 12 oz. bottled soda or water for all kids aged 12 and under. After the game, fans can run the bases, play catch in the outfield, and get autographs from the Kernels courtesy of Prairie Farms and 104.5 KDAT. Travel Advisors Baseball Bingo features an opportunity to qualify for a chance to win a trip to Minneapolis and see a Minnesota Twins game. Sunday's activities also include appearances by Papa Balloon and Face Painting by Kennedy.
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.