Kernels Bounce Back for 10-6 Victory

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - The Cedar Rapids Kernels scored six consecutive runs early in a Sunday matinee to defeat the Dayton Dragons, 10-6. Cedar Rapids' victory evened this series at one win apiece heading into Monday's rubber game at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

The Dragons (11-18, 32-67) scored in the top of the first inning for a short-lived 2-0 lead. James Vasquez gave Dayton its first run on a sacrifice fly that drove in Mitch Piatnik. A force out off the bat of Kevin Franklin allowed Shed Long to score.

During the bottom of the first, the Kernels (17-13, 53-46) tallied four unearned runs to swing in front, 4-2. Casey Scoggins led off the inning by reaching on an error and scored on Sean Miller's RBI double. Three batters later, Jaylin Davis' two-out RBI single brought in Miller. Nelson Molina followed with a single before Chris Ibarra's two-run double put Cedar Rapids ahead.

Cedar Rapids lifted its lead to 6-2 in the second. Luis Arraez pushed Christian Cavaness home with a bases-loaded walk before Zander Wiel grounded into a double play, allowing Scoggins to score.

Dayton was unable to respond until the sixth inning when the Dragons sliced their deficit to 6-4. Nick Senzel drew a leadoff walk that was followed by a single for Vasquez. Franklin drove in both runners on a two-run double to keep the game close.

The Kernels pulled away in the bottom of the seventh, extending their lead to 10-4. Bases-loaded walks in the inning helped Scoggins and Miller score early in the rally. Rainis Silva later added a two-run automatic double that bounced over the wall in right-center field, bringing in Arraez and Davis on the extra-base hit.

In the ninth inning, Dayton rallied on back-to-back RBI groundouts from pinch-hitter Brantley Bell and Piatnik but could not close the gap further. A strikeout ended the contest and sealed the Kernels' 10-6 win.

Cody Stashak (7-5) earned his team-high seventh victory, allowing four runs over six innings while keeping the Kernels in front. Tanner Rainey (3-8) surrendered six runs - two earned - over five innings in a loss. Kernels reliever Andrew Vasquez pitched two scoreless and hitless frames for his first hold of the season. Scoggins finished Sunday's contest with a Kernels season-high four walks and a game-high three runs scored.

This series and Kernels homestand closes Monday with a 12:05 p.m. first pitch scheduled between Cedar Rapids and Dayton. Kernels southpaw Lachlan Wells (2-2, 2.05 ERA) starts against Dragons left-hander Jacob Constante (4-8, 4.99 ERA). Catch all of the action with Chris Kleinhans-Schulz online at www.kmryradio.com, www.kernels.com and MiLB.TV.

Monday's finale is the latest Kernels Noon Game, presented by Z 102.9. The Noon Game Lunch Combo includes a regular sandwich, chips or popcorn, and a regular 16 oz. draft beer or 20 oz. bottled soda or water - all for just $8.50. It is also Mark Down Monday, featuring $1.50 regular hot dogs and $1 prices for small popcorn, chips and ice cream sandwiches.

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.