Win Streak Ends in 2-0 Pitchers' Duel

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - The Clinton LumberKings snapped the Cedar Rapids Kernels' six-game, season-opening win streak with a 2-0 two-hit shutout Friday evening at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Cedar Rapids was the last remaining undefeated team in Minor League Baseball, and Friday's loss moved its record to 6-1. Clinton is now 5-3 and leads this three-game series by a 1-0 margin.
Tommy Romero (1-1) registered a season-high-tying eight strikeouts within a personal-best six scoreless innings to pick up the victory. Romero combined with Adonis De La Cruz to record 21 consecutive outs to finish Friday's contest. De La Cruz earned his first save of the season after three perfect innings of relief.

Clinton claimed a 1-0 lead during the fourth inning. Ariel Sandoval hit a leadoff double against Bryan Sammons (0-1) and advanced to third base on a fly out by Johnny Adams. Two batters later, Greifer Andrade's RBI single plated Sandoval. The run was the only tally yielded by Sammons in a season-high 5.1 innings, but he took the loss for Cedar Rapids.
The LumberKings also added a run in the top of the eighth. Eugene Helder drew a walk to open the frame, and a single by Sandoval coupled with an error put both runners in scoring position. Adams followed with a groundout to bring in Helder.
Kernels reliever Jovani Moran pitched 1.2 scoreless and hitless innings of relief before Derek Molina made his Cedar Rapids debut in the eighth. Molina was tagged for an unearned run and completed two innings of work in the game.
Game two of this three-game homestand is slated for 5:05 p.m. Saturday. The probable pitchers are Kernels right-hander Edwar Colina (0-0, 2.25) and LumberKings left-hander Oliver Jaskie (0-0, 0.00). Coverage will be available on 1450 KMRY AM and 93.1 KMRY FM and online at www.kmryradio.com, www.kernels.com, and MiLB.TV.
A Kids Pregame Quarter Hunt, featuring $300 in quarters placed on the infield dirt, will take place prior to Saturday's tilt. All children aged 12 and under can participate in the hunt, which is scheduled to begin at 4:15 p.m.
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.