Kernels fall to River Bandits in game one

DAVENPORT, Iowa - The Kernels lost to the Quad Cities River Bandits, 2-1, in game one of the Midwest League quarterfinals on Wednesday night.

The Kernels entered the score sheet first as they pushed across a run in the top of the second inning. Adam Brett Walker led off the inning with a single and scored one batter later when Mike Gonzales powered an opposite field double that one hopped the left center field wall to score Walker and give the Kernels a 1-0 lead.

An RBI single through the right side of the infield by Rio Ruiz tied the game 1-1 in the fourth inning. Carlos Correa singled earlier in the frame and scored on Ruiz's single.

The River Bandits took a 2-1 lead in the eighth inning via a double play groundout by Danry Vasquez. Teoscar Hernandez and Correa led off the inning with back-to-back singles.

The Kernels recorded only one hit after the second inning.

Brett Lee relished a few big spots in the contest. Lee induced Roberto Pena to ground into a double play to end the second inning, got Pena again in the fourth inning on a fielder's choice to end that rally, and escaped the fifth inning unscathed with runners on first and second and one out. Lee struck out Hernandez, and then Correa bounced back to the mound to end the fifth inning.

Lee left after five innings, allowing a run on four hits while walking three and striking out six. Alex Muren followed and threw two scoreless and hitless innings, allowing one walk and striking out three. Madison Boer (0-1) allowed the game-winning run in his one inning of work, striking out one.

Quad Cities starter Chris Devenski also exited after five innings, limiting the damage. Devenski allowed a run on three hits. He walked three and struck out one. Mitchell Lambson went 2.2 scoreless innings in relief, striking out five. Andrew Walter (1-0) didn't allow a base runner in his 1.1 innings, striking out the side in the ninth inning. 

MIDWEST LEAGUE PLAYOFFS - QUARTERFINALS - BEST OF 3

Game Two: Thursday, September 5 v. Quad Cities River Bandits (Astros) - 6:35 p.m.

Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium

Cedar Rapids: RHP Tim Shibuya (4-0, 0.96) v. Quad Cities: LHP Joe Bircher (3-3, 4.15)

Tickets: Available at www.kernels.com or Kernels Ticket Office at Veterans Memorial Stadium, 319-896-7650