Ober Collects 12 Strikeouts in 8-1 Win

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - Bailey Ober recorded a career-best 12 strikeouts Thursday and led the Cedar Rapids Kernels to an 8-1 victory over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in front of 2,520 fans at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Ober became the first Kernel with a 12-strikeout game since Miles Nordgren fanned 12 Timber Rattlers back on May 28, 2016.
A fifth consecutive winning decision pushed Ober's record to 5-1 this season. Ober allowed just three hits and one run over a personal-high-tying seven innings pitched. He also retired 15 consecutive batters in one stretch.

Wisconsin (5-9, 36-47) grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first inning before its offense was shut down by Ober and Jared Finkel. Zach Clark opened the game with a double and later scored on a two-out single from Trever Morrison. After that hit, 25 of the final 27 Timber Rattlers were retired through the end of the contest.
Jordan Gore lifted Cedar Rapids (12-3, 44-40) ahead for good within the second inning. Jared Akins singled to extend the frame, and Ben Rodriguez followed with a walk. Gore came through by hitting a three-run home run to right field for a 3-1 Kernels lead. He secured a career-best 23-game on-base streak with his go-ahead blast.
Multiple runs during the third and fourth stretched the Kernels' advantage to 8-1. Akins hit a three-run triple in the bottom of the third. Jacob Pearson added an RBI single within the fourth prior to Royce Lewis' RBI force out. Lewis guaranteed a personal-best nine-game hit streak and a career-high 18-game on-base streak with a double in his first plate appearance.
The losing pitcher for Wisconsin in the series finale was Bowden Francis (4-6). He allowed a career-high-tying eight runs including five earned runs in four innings pitched.
Coming up, the Kernels visit the Kane County Cougars for a four-game series. Friday's opener is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., and Kernels right-hander Blayne Enlow (0-2, 4.23) will face Cougars right-hander Cole Stapler (1-2, 3.38). 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.
Cedar Rapids' next homestand begins Wednesday, July 11 and continues through Monday, July 16. 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.