Kernels cruise to win over generous Rattlers

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA -- The Cedar Rapids Kernels took what the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers gave them on their way to an 8-3 victory Sunday afternoon at Veterans Memorial Stadium. The Wisconsin defense committed five errors in the field. Mark Trumbo drove in a pair of runs for the Kernels without putting the ball in play. David Herndon pitched seven solid innings for his first win of the season. The Kernels (3-3) scored three times in the bottom of the first inning. They loaded the bases with no outs on an infield single, a walk, and an error. Rattler starting pitcher Nathan Adcock walked Trumbo to force in the first run of the game. Two more runs scored on another error when the Rattlers could not turn a double play. Cedar Rapids struck again in the bottom of the second. Jon Hodach doubled to start the inning, went to third on an infield grounder, and scored when catcher Juan Beltran's pickoff throw to third went into left field for the third error of the game on Wisconsin. Matt Sweeney homered to start the Cedar Rapids third inning for a 5-0 lead. A two-out error allowed the Kernels to score a run in the fourth inning for a 6-0 advantage. Wisconsin (1-5) got on the scoreboard in the top of the fifth inning on an RBI groundout by Ougi Diaz. The Rattlers crept a little closer with a pair of runs in the top of the seventh. Andy Hargrove singled in a run. Hargrove scored on another RBI groundout by Diaz. But, the Kernels scored two more times in the bottom of the seventh. They loaded the bases with one out against reliever Rob Harmon. Trumbo was hit by a pitch to force in a run. Then, Hank Conger drew a walk to force in the final run of the game. The final game of the four game series is Monday evening at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Anthony Varvaro (0-1, 20.25) is the scheduled starter for the Timber Rattlers. Jeremy Haynes (1-0, 0.00) is slated to start for the Kernels. Game time is 6:30pm.