Whitecaps Blank Kernels in Opener

COMSTOCK PARK, MICH. - Eudis Idrogo and the West Michigan Whitecaps won a 2-0 pitchers' duel Wednesday against the Cedar Rapids Kernels at Fifth Third Ballpark. Idrogo and Eduardo Jiménez combined to register a four-hit shutout versus Domenick Carlini IV and the Kernels to open this three-game series.
Idrogo kept Cedar Rapids (10-10, 49-41) scoreless for seven innings to match the longest shutout start of his career. He also tallied seven strikeouts and yielded only three hits and no walks. Idrogo's last appearance with seven scoreless innings was September 4, 2016 at the Great Lakes Loons.

West Michigan (14-5, 59-27) grabbed a 1-0 lead within the bottom of the first. Danny Woodrow stole second base during a pitch to Austin Athmann. On the next offering, Athmann singled and drove in Woodrow for the game's first run.
Close calls came for both sides during the fifth inning. Hank Morrison was at second base with two outs when an errant throw to center field allowed Morrison to advance. He tried to score on the play but was thrown out by Woodrow at home plate. The Whitecaps put multiple runners in scoring position during the frame before Lewin Diaz ended the scoring threat with a leaping catch at first base.
The lead doubled to 2-0 for West Michigan in the home half of the sixth. Cole Bauml reached on a one-out single. Zac Shepherd followed with an RBI double that plated Bauml from first.
Jimenez tossed two shutout innings to notch a save and protect the win for Idrogo, who improved to 4-4. Jimenez retired the final six batters that he faced and struck out four Kernels in a row to end the game. He picked up his fourth save overall and his third in as many outings.
Carlini (3-7) was saddled with the loss Wednesday despite a quality start. He allowed two runs and six hits over six innings and added five strikeouts. Patrick McGuff also posted five strikeouts within two scoreless and hitless innings of relief.
Game two of this three-game series is scheduled for Thursday at 7:00 p.m. ET (6:00 p.m. CT). Kernels left-hander Evan Sanders (0-2, 15.19) will face Whitecaps right-hander Alfred Gutierrez (7-4, 3.93). Catch the coverage with Chris Kleinhans-Schulz on 1450 KMRY AM and 93.1 KMRY FM and also online at www.kmryradio.com and www.kernels.com.
Cedar Rapids' next homestand starts Wednesday, July 19 and continues through Monday, July 24. Fans can purchase tickets for all Kernels home games 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.