Kernels Get Big Home Run in 7th to Top Dragons 4-2

Cedar Rapids 4, Dragons 2

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Cedar Rapids (R-H-E): 4-4-2; Dayton (R-H-E): 2-4-0

Win: Jordan Carr (1-1); Loss: Myles Gayman (0-2); Save: None

HR: Dayton: None Cedar Rapids: Luke Keachall (2nd, 0 on base in first inning); Jay Harry (2nd, 2 on base in seventh inning).

Cedar Rapids, Iowa—Jay Harris blasted a three-run home run in the seventh inning to lift the Cedar Rapids Kernels to a 4-2 victory over the Dayton Dragons on Sunday afternoon. The Kernels won four of the six games in the series played in Iowa.

The Dragons took a 2-1 lead to the bottom of the seventh before the first two Kernels batters reached against Dragons reliever Myles Gayman (0-2). Harris then drilled his second home run of the season to close out the scoring. The Dragons put two runners on base with one out in the ninth inning but could not deliver the big hit.

The Dragons broke a 1-1 tie in the top of the seventh inning, taking advantage of two errors on the same play. After Carlos Jorge looped a single to right field to start the inning, Jorge stole second, and the throw to second by the Kernels catcher sailed into center field. As Jorge headed for third, the Cedar Rapids center fielder backing up the play overran the ball, allowing Jorge to race around third and score to give Dayton a brief 2-1 lead.

The Dragons scored their other run in the top of the first inning when Ethan O’Donnell walked, went from first to third on Leo Balcazar’s single, and scored on a hard hit to left by Cam Collier.

Dragons starting pitcher Javi Rivera surrendered a home run to the first batter he faced, Luke Keaschall, but was nearly perfect over the remainder of his day. Rivera worked four innings, allowing just that one hit with one walk and three strikeouts. The solo homer was the only run allowed by Rivera. Graham Osman worked a perfect fifth inning before Gayman tossed the final three frames, allowing three hits and three runs to suffer the loss.

Both teams collected just four hits in the game. Jorge was 2 for 3 with a walk for Dayton. The Dragons were just 1 for 11 with runners in scoring position.

Up Next: The Dragons (4-5) do not play on Monday. They will open a six-game home series at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District on Tuesday, April 16 against the Fort Wayne TinCaps. Bryce Hubbart (0-0, 2.25) will start for Dayton on Tuesday. For ticket information, go to daytondragons.com/tickets or call (937) 228-2287.

On the Air: All Dragons home and road games are broadcast on radio on FOX Sports 980 AM WONE. Games can be heard on smart phones, iPads, and other mobile devices via the free Dragons Mobile App, or on a computer at wone.com. Games are also available on HD Radio on 104.7 WTUI HD 2.