Castillo's homer sends Kernels to fifth win in a row

Cedar Rapids, IA - Quad Cities starter Arquimedes Nieto held the Kernels without a hit for seven plus innings, allowing just three walks, until Angel Castillo broke up the no-hit bid with a one out, two run homer in the eighth inning, his eighth of the season. The 2-0 win came in front of an Armed Forces Night crowd of 5,002 at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Nieto (1-7) walked three batters and struck out seven over 7.1 innings and received a standing ovation from Kernels fans when he left the game. Kernels starter Tyler Chatwood delivered a quality start, allowing just two hits over six innings with two walks and two strikeouts. Jon Townsend and Darwin Perez both had a single to account for the Kernels four hits.

Kyle Hurst pitched a scoreless inning of relief in his Kernels debut and Kevin Nabors (2-3) allowed two hits and struck out three over two innings for the win. Matt Carpenter went 2-3 for Quad Cities as Charlie Cutler went 1-4 and Roberto Espinoza went 1-3 with a double.

Game two between the Kernels and River Bandits is Sunday afternoon at 2:05 pm. The first 1,000 fans through the gates when they open at 1 pm, receive a free set of 2009 Kernels baseball cards, courtesy of Perfect Game USA. Former Iowa and current San Diego Chargers kicker Nate Kaeding will be on hand as part of Iowa City/Coralville/North Liberty Day. Nate will be kicking 16 autographed NFL footballs into the stands during the game and fans will receive a complimentary Kaeding baseball card, courtesy Chezik Bell Ford Lincoln Mercury and the Iowa City/Coralville Convention and Visitors Bureau.

It's also a 104.5 KDAT Sunday Fun Day. Fans can get autographs on the concourse from 1:20 to 1:40 pm, enjoy the balloon artistry of Papa Balloon on the concourse and play Travel Advisors Baseball Vacation Bingo during the game, and run the bases and play catch in the outfield after the game.

Tickets may be purchased on-line at www.kernels.com, or by calling the Kernels Ticket Office at 896-7560 after 11 am on Sunday morning. The current home stand continues through Monday, July 13th.