Kernels shutout Wisconsin 4-0

GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Cedar Rapids Kernels shutout the Timber Rattlers 4-0 Monday night at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. Sam Gibbons allowed two hits over six innings for the win and Nick Gordon drove in a pair of runs for the Kernels.

The Rattlers (25-50 overall, 2-3 second half) had the best early scoring opportunity. Gibbons walked Mitch Meyer and Brandon Diaz with one out in the third inning. Gibbons got the second out on a slow roller back to the mound, but walked Elvis Rubio to load the bases. Dustin DeMuth lined out to right to end the inning.

The Kernels (43-32, 2-3) scored first. Alex Real drew a leadoff walk against Wisconsin starting pitcher Luis Ortega. Zack Larson followed with a double to left-center and Real came all the way around to score. That was the only run Ortega allowed in his four innings.

Gibbons struck out six over his six innings and got some insurance in the top of the seventh against Wisconsin reliever Angel Ventura.

Jorge Fernandez singled with one out and Rafael Valera walked. Both would move into scoring position on a wild pitch with two outs. Gordon's infield single sent Fernandez home for a 2-0 lead.

The Rattlers threatened against reliever Luke Bard in the bottom of the seventh. Bard walked Carlos Leal with one out. Alan Sharkey followed with a single. Bard got out of the inning by getting Mitch Meyer to ground into a 4-6-3 double play.

The Kernels added two more runs off Ventura in the top of the ninth. Fernandez tripled with one out and scored on a wild pitch. Later in the inning, Gordon drove in his second run of the game with a single.

Wisconsin was shutout for just the fourth time this season. They are also 1-9 against the Kernels, including 0-7 at home against Cedar Rapids.

Game two of the series is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon. David Burkhalter (1-4, 5.01) is the scheduled starter for the Timber Rattlers. Luke Westphal (0-0, 9.00) of Clintonville, Wisconsin is set to start for the Kernels. Game time is 12:05pm.

The first 500 fans to attend the game on Tuesday will receive a magnet featuring Timber Rattlers pitcher Kodi Medeiros presented by Lamers Bus Lines, magnet two in a series of four that are being given away this season.

Show your business card when you purchase a ticket on Tuesday and for $13.50 you will receive a box seat ticket, a beverage and your choice of brat or hot dog. 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, the radio broadcast is on AM1280, WNAM starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 11:45am. The broadcast may also be heard on Tune In Radio and IHeartRadio. Subscribers to MiLB.TV can see the game that way.

WP: Sam Gibbons (2-2)
LP: Luis Ortega (1-6)

TIME: 2:56 (:58 delay)
ATTN: 2,946