Kernels blow past Great Lakes 16-7

Byron Buxton with 5 RBI. Adam Brett Walker with 4 RBI. Buxton, Walker, & Niko Goodrum all hit home runs. Kernels drew season-high 11 walks.

By Morgan Hawk

April 25, 2013

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - The Kernels blew past the Great Lakes Loons, scoring a season-high 16 runs in a 16-7 on Thursday night as they opened up a 6-game home stand. It was the Kernels 4^th win in a row. Byron Buxton drove in 5 runs on the night while Adam Walker had 4 RBI. Buxton, Walker, and Niko Goodrum all hit home runs. The Kernels drew a season-high 11 walks in the game.

Niko Goodrum's 1^st home run of the season came in the 1^st inning to put the Kernels up 1-0. Byron Buxton absolutely crushed a 3-run home run over 8^th avenue to deep left field, putting the Kernels up 4-0. It was his 3^rd of the season. Jorge Polanco's RBI triple extended the lead to 5-0.

Great Lakes cut the Kernels lead to 5-3 with a single run in the 3^rd inning and a pair of runs in the 4^th inning. Jorge Polanco drove in a run with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 4^th inning, putting the Kernels up 6-3. Three hits in the 5^th inning led to a Loons run, making the score 6-4.

Adam Brett Walker's 3-run home run to left center blew the game open a bit at 9-4. It was Walker's 3^rd of the year.

In the 7^th inning the Kernels scored 5 runs without the use of a hit. Four straight walks and two Loons errors led to 9 Kernels reaching base, and Cedar Rapids was well out in front 14-4. Great Lakes sent 8 men to the plate in the 8^th inning, and 3 runs scored to put the score at 14-7. Byron Buxton's RBI double, and a bases loaded walk to Dalton Hicks in the bottom of the 8^th inning put Cedar Rapids up 16-7.

Tyler Jones (2-0) went 2.2 innings for the win, allowing 3 runs (2 earned). Angel Sanchez (1-2) took the loss for the Loons.

NEXT GAME:

Friday, April 26 - 6:35 p.m. vs. Great Lakes Loons (Los Angeles Dodgers)

(Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium)

Cedar Rapids: RHP Hudson Boyd (1-1, 5.14) vs. Great Lakes: RHP Zachary Bird (0-0, 5.06)

Radio: KMRY 1450 AM/93.1 FM & www.kernels.com

Promotions: Friday Mug Club, presented by 98.1 KHAK. Buy a REUSABLE 16 oz. mug or regular draft beer or soda for $6.00. Get refills for $3.00 at the concession stands every Friday home game. First 500 fans through the gates receive a free 2013 Kernels Team Photo, thanks to Copyworks & Wells Fargo.

Tickets: Available at www.kernels.com or at the Kernels Ticket Office at Veterans Memorial Stadium, 319-896-7650 (Monday-Friday 10-5, Saturday 10-2)