Enlow, Kernels Win Opener at West Michigan

COMSTOCK PARK, MICH. - Blayne Enlow recorded a game-high six strikeouts over six innings and won a quality start in an 8-4 Cedar Rapids Kernels triumph Thursday against the West Michigan Whitecaps at Fifth Third Ballpark. Cedar Rapids (15-18) improved to 10-0 in games with at least five runs scored.
Enlow (3-3) earned his career-high-tying third victory of the season to give the Kernels a 1-0 series lead against the Whitecaps (14-18). He limited West Michigan to one unearned run and four hits in a six-inning start. Enlow now holds two quality starts to tie Andrew Cabezas and Josh Winder for the team lead.

The Kernels broke a scoreless deadlock during the fourth inning to take a 3-0 lead. Gabriel Maciel's sacrifice bunt coupled with an error allowed Estamy Urena and Yeltsin Encarnacion to score. Later in the frame, Chris Williams drove in Maciel on a groundball to third base that led to another Whitecaps error.
West Michigan answered in the fifth and trimmed its deficit to 3-1. Sam McMillan collected a one-out single and advanced to second base after a wild pitch. Avery Tuck singled and drew an error on the play to help McMillan score the first Whitecaps run.
Jacob Pearson carried Cedar Rapids to a 6-1 advantage within the sixth. Williams fouled away several two-strike pitches before hitting a two-out single. Gabe Snyder added a single of his own, and David Banuelos walked to the load the bases. Pearson batted next and drove in all three runners with a double.
During the seventh inning, the Whitecaps continued their comeback attempt by producing a three-run rally. Wenceel Perez singled to bring in McMillan. Two more runs came home after an RBI single from Ulrich Bojarski sliced the difference to 6-4.
Bañuelos capped the scoring in the eighth and pushed Cedar Rapids to its winning margin of 8-4. Snyder and Bañuelos hit back-to-back doubles to plate one run. Bañuelos later scored himself due to a bases-loaded walk from Ureña.
The losing pitcher Thursday night was Adam Wolf (1-4). He was charged with three runs and a career-high five walks over three-plus innings pitched.
Up next, Cedar Rapids and West Michigan square off Friday evening at 7:05 p.m. ET (6:05 p.m. CT) in the middle meeting of a three-game series. Kernels right-hander Tyler Palm (1-2, 2.60) is scheduled to face Whitecaps right-hander Wilkel Hernandez (3-2, 4.50). Chris Kleinhans-Schulz have the call on 1450 KMRY AM and 93.1 KMRY FM and online at www.kmryradio.com and www.kernels.com.
Cedar Rapids' next homestand features four games in three days beginning with a doubleheader May 13. Fans can purchase tickets for all Cedar Rapids 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 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturdays. On Sundays when the Kernels have a home game, the Kernels Ticket Office will open at 11:00 a.m.