Kernels win 9th straight with 5-4 win over Lansing
By: Matt Cozzi
Cedar Rapids, Iowa - The Kernels posted their third straight series sweep with a 5-4 win over the Lansing Lugnuts on Tuesday afternoon. The victory is the Kernels' 9th straight and follows previous sweeps against Great Lakes and Burlington.
The scoring got started quickly as Dalton Hicks gave the Kernels (18-5) a 2-0 lead after a 2-run home run in the bottom of the 1st inning. Hicks' blast - his 4th of the season - went over the batters eye in center field.
Byron Buxton added on to that in the 3rd when he connected for a 2-run home run that left the stadium and bounced into a tree on 8th Avenue beyond left field. Buxton finished the day 2-for-3 and is now hitting at a .392 clip with 4 homers and 21 RBI. The center fielder has also reached base in all 22 games he's played in this spring.
The Lugnuts (7-15) recorded their first runs of the afternoon in the 7th as Chris Hawkins led off with a single and later scored on an RBI sacrifice fly by Aaron Munoz. Dalton Pompey then singled home Shane Opitz to narrow the deficit to 4-2. \
Up 5-2 in the 9th, the Lugnuts attempted to rally. The Lugnuts were able to push across 2 runs off of Kernels reliever David Hurlbut, but stalled thereafter.
Tyler Jones relieved Hurlbut with two on and two out and was able to get Christian Jones to fly out to end the game. Jones now has 4 saves.
Kernels starter Matt Tomshaw (1-0) threw 5 scoreless innings, scattering 4 hits while striking out 4.
NEXT GAME:
Wednesday, May 1 (5:35 p.m. CT) vs. @West Michigan Whitecaps (Detroit Tigers)
(Fifth Third Ballpark)
Cedar Rapids: LHP Brett Lee (2-0, 2.13) vs. West Michigan: RHP Hudson Randall (2-2, 0.87)
Radio: KMRY 1450 AM/93.1 FM & www.kernels.com
Next Home Game: Tuesday, May 14 (6:35 p.m.) vs. Burlington Bees (LA Angels of Anaheim)
Promotions: Great Clips Twins Tuesday! Get online coupon from the Kernels Facebook page or email newsletter for a 2-for-1 ticket offer! The Kernels will wear replica Twins jerseys, and fans can register to win a pair of Twins tickets!
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)