Hot Rods Wreck Rodriguez's Strong Start

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - Cedar Rapids Kernels right-hander Dereck Rodriguez took a no-hitter into the sixth inning Thursday at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium, but the Bowling Green Hot Rods rallied for a 3-1 victory. The Hot Rods posted their franchise-record-tying ninth straight triumph and took a 2-0 series lead to clinch an early series win.

Rodriguez retired the first 14 batters that he faced before his potential perfect game was broken up by a fifth-inning walk to Kewby Meyer. Rodriguez then induced a popout from David Rodriguez to end the inning and keep the no-hitter intact.

The Kernels (15-12, 51-45) had given Rodriguez a quick 1-0 lead in the first inning. Casey Scoggins and Nelson Molina opened the frame with back-to-back singles to put runners on the corners for Luis Arraez, who grounded out to drive in Scoggins. That was the only run Blake Bivens allowed in 5.2 innings pitched, working around six hits and three walks in a near-quality start.

Bowling Green (17-9, 54-41) broke through and evened the score during the sixth. Peter Maris ended Rodriguez's no-hit bid by hitting a triple to right-center field. Angel Moreno grounded out, but an errant throw to home plate on the play that was intended to prevented Maris from scoring allowed the runner to come home and tie the game at 1-1.

Manny Sanchez pushed the Hot Rods in front, 2-1, with a seventh-inning home run. After a leadoff popout by Brett Sullivan, Sanchez crushed his ninth round-tripper of the season into left field. It was Sanchez's fourth consecutive contest with a homer.

The Hot Rods also scored in the eighth inning to secure a 3-1 lead. Maris led off with a double and was sacrificed to third base by Moreno before Brandon Lowe delivered an RBI double. That knocked Rodriguez out of the contest after a career-high 7.1 innings pitched. He allowed all three Hot Rods runs within his third consecutive quality start.

Yoel Espinal (5-0) finished the contest for Bowling Green with 3.1 scoreless and hitless innings of relief and earned the victory against Rodriguez (2-11), who suffered his Midwest League-high 11^th loss.

The series finale is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. Friday night. Kernels right-hander Sam Gibbons (3-3, 6.09 ERA) will face Hot Rods southpaw Genesis Cabrera (7-3, 3.20 ERA). Catch the coverage with Morgan Hawk and Chris Kleinhans-Schulz on KCRG 9.2, 1450 KMRY AM and 93.1 KMRY FM and online at www.kmryradio.com, www.kernels.com and MiLB.TV.

Friday is UNI Panther Night, featuring a UNI seat cushion giveaway for the first 500 fans and appearances by the UNI Spirit Squad and Cheerleaders along with mascots TC and TK. Plus, the first 1,500 fans will get a 2016 Kernels Team Photo. It is also a 98.1 KHAK Friday Mug Club Night. Fans can buy a 16 oz. souvenir mug for $6 and use that souvenir mug each Friday home game for $3 refills on regular draft beer or soda.

Tickets for all Kernels home games are available at www.kernels.com, the Kernels Ticket Office and by 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. The ticket office is closed on Sundays except on Kernels Sunday home dates when it will open at 11:00 a.m.