Parsons, Peoria Defeat Cedar Rapids in Opener

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - The Cedar Rapids Kernels started the 2019 season Thursday night at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium, but Tommy Parsons and the visiting Peoria Chiefs picked up a 10-2 victory. Thursday's tilt snapped Cedar Rapids' Midwest League-high eight-game win streak in season openers.
Parsons (1-0) only allowed two walks and one hit over five shutout frames to claim the win for Peoria (1-0). He also retired eight consecutive batters in one stretch during his Midwest League debut.

Ivan Herrera lifted the Chiefs to a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning. Batting with two outs and the bases empty, Herrera hit a solo home run into the Plumbers & Pipefitters Pavilion in left field.
Peoria tallied five more runs within the third for a 6-0 advantage. The Chiefs loaded the bases to start the frame before scoring on consecutive RBI singles from Brady Whalen, Brendan Donovan, and Leandro Cedeno. Lars Nootbaar added a two-run double that drove in Whalen and Donovan.
The Kernels (0-1) rallied to bring the game-tying run to the plate during the bottom of the sixth. DaShawn Keirsey scored on Andrew Bechtold's one-out single, and David Banuelos legged out an infield single later in the inning that allowed Yunior Severino to come home. Michael Davis batted next with a 6-2 deficit and the bases loaded, but a popout ended the rally.
In the top of the seventh, the Chiefs answered by scoring four runs to increase the lead to 10-2. Nolan Gorman plated Herrera with a two-out single before Whalen produced a two-run double. Donovan followed with an RBI single to cap the outburst.
Cedar Rapids' Blayne Enlow (0-1) was tagged for a career-high six runs yielded over two-plus innings pitched in a losing decision. Peoria's Chris Hunt received credit for a hold within the contest as well.
The 2019 season continues Friday evening at 6:35 p.m. with Cedar Rapids right-hander Jordan Balazovic (0-0, -.--) scheduled to pitch against Peoria right-hander Alvaro Seijas (0-0, -.--) in the finale of a two-game series. Chris Kleinhans-Schulz will call the action on 1450 KMRY AM and 93.1 KMRY FM and also online at www.kmryradio.com, www.kernels.com, and MiLB.TV.
Friday's homestand finale is the first chance to get the Ballpark Taco Dog, a joint effort between the Kernels and Z102.9, at the Kernels Strike Zone Cart. The Kernels Friday Mug Club presented by Stadium Bar & Grill, Shuey's Restaurant & Lounge, Mr. B's, Mulligan's Pub & Grill, and Z102.9 features a refillable 16 oz. mug of regular draft beer or soda for only $6.00 and refills of that mug for just $3.00 at each Kernels Friday home game.
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.