Combined no-hitter leads Kernels in 9-1 win over Beloit

Tyler Duffey was perfect through 7 innings. Josue Montanez pitches 8th inning, allowing 3 walks. Tim Atherton closes it out with 1 walk in the 9th inning.

By Matt Cozzi

April 7, 2013

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - History was made Sunday afternoon as three pitchers combined to no-hit the Beloit Snappers in a 9-1 win for the Kernels (3-1).

Starter Tyler Duffey and relievers Josue Montanez and Tim Atherton combined to no-hit the Snappers (1-3) in the Kernels' first 9-inning no hitter since Fabio Martinez, Kyle Hurst, and Mike Kenney combined to no-hit Kane County on April 30, 2010. Stephen Locke notched a no-hitter in 2005 against Peoria in a 5-inning game.

Duffey exited the contest after 7 perfect innings. The Houston, Texas, native was efficient in his first professional start, as he left with just 76 pitches to his name and struck out 7. Manager Jake Mauer then turned it over to Montanez, who was added to the Kernels' roster only hours before the game.

Montanez got into some trouble, walking three Snappers hitters and allowing a run to score on a sacrifice fly by Ryan Mathews. Atherton entered in the 9^th inning and promptly struck out the side to finish.

The Kernels were also solid offensively on Sunday, recording 15 hits. The first five batters reached base in the opening frame, and Byron Buxton, Candido Pimentel, and Jorge Polanco all scored.

In total, Mauer's squad posted runs in the 1^st, 3^rd, 4^th, and 7^th innings. Every Kernels starter posted a hit. Buxton led the way, as the 19-year old went 4-for-5 with 1 run scored and a home run shy of the cycle. The centerfielder is now hitting .563 on the season, which leads the team. First baseman Dalton Hicks added offensive punch, too, going 3-for-4 with 2 doubles and 2 RBI. Third baseman Travis Harrison went 2-for-4 with 2 RBI as well.