Durán, Finkel Combine for One-Hit Shutout

DAVENPORT, IOWA - Jhoan Duran and Jared Finkel came within one out of a combined no-hitter Monday evening at Modern Woodmen Park, but the Cedar Rapids Kernels still picked up an 8-0 one-hit shutout over the Quad Cities River Bandits. Jose Miranda and Ryan Jeffers led an early offensive outburst by driving in all eight runs for Cedar Rapids (26-11, 58-48).
Durán (6-4) tossed seven scoreless and hitless innings in his Kernels debut, and Finkel kept the no-hitter alive until David Hensley's two-out single through a sliding Michael Davis during the ninth inning. Cedar Rapids was trying to complete its second no-hitter of the season and its first road no-hitter since Ramon Ortiz's gem August 7, 1997 at Quad City.

The River Bandits (19-17, 59-47) only put one man on base against Durán, who previously pitched with the Kane County Cougars this year. He retired 21 of 22 batters faced with one walk allowed to Chandler Taylor to start the fifth inning. Durán tallied a game-high eight strikeouts over a career-high-tying seven innings pitched.
Finkel worked around a two-out walk in the eighth, and he started the ninth with a strikeout of Logan Mattix followed by a groundout from Marty Costes. Hensley grounded a 1-1 pitch to the left side, and Davis' sliding attempt from shortstop could not stop the ball from getting into left field. Finkel bounced back by inducing a game-ending fly out from Colton Shaver.
Miranda and Jeffers carried the Kernels' offense through the first four innings of Monday's contest. Miranda hit a three-run home run within the first inning. He barely missed hitting a second home run in the next frame that bounced off the right-field wall for an RBI single, and Jeffers added an RBI double. During the fourth inning, Miranda produced a run-scoring double before Jeffers lifted a two-run blast to left field.
In his quest for the cycle, Miranda batted 3-of-5 with a home run, a double, a single, and five runs batted in. Jeffers posted a personal-high-tying four hits including a career-best four-extra base hits. He collected three doubles and his first Midwest League home run.
Cesar Rosado (4-3) took the loss for Quad Cities in a short start. He was knocked out in the second inning after giving up five runs, five hits, and four walks.
The series finale between the Kernels and the River Bandits is slated for 6:35 p.m. Tuesday. Cedar Rapids right-hander Edwar Colina (4-3, 3.06) and Quad Cities right-hander Leovanny Rodriguez (4-3, 3.11) are the probable pitchers. Broadcast coverage with Chris Kleinhans-Schulz will be available on 1450 KMRY AM and 93.1 KMRY FM and also online at www.kmryradio.com and www.kernels.com.
Cedar Rapids' final 15 home games of the regular season are coming up in August. 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.