Cabbage Carries Kernels to 7-1 Victory

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - Trey Cabbage produced a career-high-tying four runs batted in Friday and helped the Cedar Rapids Kernels claim a 7-1 triumph over the Peoria Chiefs in front of 3,750 fans at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Cedar Rapids (33-21, 65-58) secured a 2-1 series win along with a 7-6 season series victory against Peoria (31-21, 70-52).
The Kernels opened the scoring within the first inning of the rubber game. Gabriel Maciel led off with a bunt single and moved to second base on an errant pickoff throw. Ryan Jeffers' groundout pushed Maciel to third base before a sacrifice fly from Michael Helman put Cedar Rapids in front, 1-0

Peoria pulled even at 1-1 during the top of the third. Nick Plummer drew a one-out walk and advanced into scoring position on a groundout by Rayder Acanio. Wood Myers singled to put runners at the corners, and a wild pitch allowed Plummer to come home.
Maciel and Helman combined for another run in the bottom of the third that gave Cedar Rapids a 2-1 advantage. Maciel tripled to begin the inning. Two batters later, Helman's second sacrifice fly drove in Maciel.
Cabbage homered to highlight a wild four-run rally within the sixth inning. Jeffers hit a leadoff double before Helman reached via error. A double play attempt led to another Chiefs error that helped Jeffers score for the Kernels. An error on a fielder's choice left runners at first and third base, and Cabbage lifted the Kernels' lead to 6-1 with a towering home run to right field.
Cedar Rapids reached its winning margin of 7-1 during the eighth. Trevor Larnach collected his first professional triple early in the frame and remained at third base until Cabbage's two-out RBI single.
Jordan Balazovic (7-3) held Peoria to one run and two hits over five innings to pick up the win. Derek Molina notched three strikeouts in a scoreless sixth inning for his first Kernels hold. Jose Martinez closed the contest with three shutout frames and earned his team-high seventh save in as many chances.
Angel Rondon (3-1) was tagged with his first Midwest League loss in Friday's finale. Rondon gave up six runs including just two earned runs allowed over 5.1 innings pitched.
Coming up next, the Kernels start a six-game road trip with three tilts at the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. Saturday's opener is slated for 6:35 p.m., and the probable pitchers are Kernels right-hander Jhoan Duran (overall: 6-5, 4.45) and Timber Rattlers right-hander Dylan File (7-9, 4.51). Chris Kleinhans-Schulz will call the action on 1450 KMRY AM and 93.1 KMRY FM and also online at www.kmryradio.com, www.kernels.com, and MiLB.TV.
Cedar Rapids' final homestand of the regular season will begin Friday, August 24 and continues through Friday, August 31. Fans can purchase tickets for all Cedar Rapids 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.