Kernels beat Wisconsin 9-3 to open series

GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Cedar Rapids Kernels broke a 3-3 tie with three runs in the top of the fifth inning and went on to a 9-3 victory over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Monday night at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. The loss was the fourth straight for the Timber Rattlers.

Cedar Rapids (14-11) scored early to take a 3-0 lead. Trey Vavra singled with two outs to drive in a runner from third with two outs in the first inning. The Kernels added two more runs in the top of the third. Max Murphy singled in a pair with a two-out single.

The Rattlers (8-17) scratched back to tie the game with a single run in the third and two more in the fourth. Monte Harrison started the third with a walk and stole second, but he was at third base with two outs. Carlo Leal, who had two hits in the game, drove in Harrison with a double to right-center to give Wisconsin their first run.

In the fourth, Dustin DeMuth hit a leadoff double. Mitch Meyer extended his hitting streak to seven games with an RBI triple to make the score 3-2. Meyer scored the tying run on a wild pitch.

But, the Kernels went back in front with three runs in the top of the fifth. Zack Larson drew a one out walk against starting pitcher Luis Ortega, who left after that batter.

Larson stole second base and went to third base on a wild pitch with reliever Mark Williams on the mound. Williams walked Vavra and threw another wild pitch to allow Larson to score the go-ahead run. A two-out triple by Jorge Fernandez drove in Vavra for a 5-3 lead.

Fernandez broke for the plate on a pitch that got away from catcher Greg McCall. Williams covered the plate in time, but dropped the throw from McCall and was charged with an error as Fernandez scored to make it 6-3.

The Rattlers would get runners on in their half of the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings, but could not score. Cedar Rapids starting pitcher Jared Wilson struck out seven over his six innings to move his record to 3-0. Zach Tillery worked the final three innings to earn his first save of the season.

Cedar Rapids added a run in the eighth on double by English off Milton Gomez. The Kernels tacked on two more runs in the ninth against Gomez and an RBI double by Murphy and an RBI single by TJ White.

The trio of Timber Rattlers pitchers walked ten, threw four wild pitches, and gave up nine hits in the game. Wisconsin hitters struck out eleven times.

Game two of the series is Tuesday night at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. Orlando Torrez (0-1, 3.95) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Cedar Rapids sends Mat Batts (2-1, 2.19) to the hill. Game time is 6:35pm.

Show your business card when you purchase a ticket and for $13.50 you will receive a box seat ticket, a beverage and your choice of brat or hot dog as part of a Baker Tilly Business Person Special. The offer is also available to senior citizens (55 & older) courtesy of Baker Tilly, WVBO, and AM1280 WNAM.

If you can't make it out to the ballpark, there are numerous ways to catch the action. Time Warner Cable SportsChannel will televise the game starting at 6:30pm. The radio broadcast on AM1280, WNAM starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:15pm. The broadcast may also be heard on Tune In Radio and IHeartRadio. Subscribers may watch the game on MiLB.tv.

WP: Jared Wilson (3-0)
LP: Luis Ortega (0-3)
SAVE: Zach Tillery (1)

TIME: 3:03
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