Batterymates Highlight 3-0 Kernels Victory

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - Clark Beeker, Ryan Mason, and Colton Davis teamed up with Ben Rortvedt for a 3-0 Cedar Rapids Kernels shutout Friday against the Quad Cities River Bandits at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Beeker extended his scoreless streak to 32.2 consecutive shutout frames, and Rortvedt also drove in the game's first two runs.
In his team-high 11th victory, Beeker (11-3) tossed seven shutout innings for the Kernels (21-26, 60-57). He retired 14 of the first 15 batters that he faced and only yielded three hits and three walks within a quality start. Beeker's scoreless inning streak is the longest for Cedar Rapids since Randy LeBlanc's 34-inning run last season.

Mason and Davis each posted a scoreless inning against Quad Cities (31-16, 68-47) out of the bullpen. Mason walked two batters but induced a double play and a groundout to secure his team-high-tying sixth hold. Davis only gave up a leadoff single in the ninth and earned his third save.
Two early runs batted in by Rortvedt pushed Cedar Rapids to a 2-0 lead. Rortvedt hit a leadoff home run in the second inning to put the Kernels on the scoreboard. During the third inning, he lifted a deep fly ball to left field that was originally ruled an out but changed to a single. Caleb Hamilton, who ran home from second base on the initial play, was credited with a run once the play became a hit.
Lewin Diaz stretched the Kernels' lead to 3-0 in the sixth. Walks loaded the bases, and Diaz's infield single brought in Jordan Gore. River Bandits second baseman Josh Rojas made a diving stop on the play and later threw out Christian Cavaness when he tried to score from second base.
Quad Cities right-hander Yohan Ramirez dropped to 3-5 with the loss Friday. He allowed two runs, three walks, and four hits over 2.1 innings pitched.
Cedar Rapids and Quad Cities resume their four-game series Saturday at 6:35 p.m. with Kernels southpaw Anthony Marzi (3-2, 2.21) to square off against River Bandits southpaw Patrick Sandoval (1-1, 3.94). Catch the action with Chris Kleinhans-Schulz on 1450 KMRY AM and 93.1 KMRY FM and also online at www.kmryradio.com, www.kernels.com, and MiLB.TV.
Saturday is Beach Night featuring postgame fireworks. The first 1,000 fans through the gates will receive a pair of Kernels sunglasses. Cedar Rapids will also wear special beach-themed jerseys that will be sold during the contest via silent auction to benefit the Kernels Summer Reading Program.
Fans can purchase 2017 Kernels regular season and playoff tickets 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.