Homers by Hamilton, Blankenhorn Secure Victory

BURLINGTON, IOWA - The Cedar Rapids Kernels claimed an 11-6 win Sunday against the Burlington Bees at Community Field. Cedar Rapids protected its lead late with Christian Cavaness throwing out a potential game-tying run at home plate and with two-run home runs by Caleb Hamilton and Travis Blankenhorn. The Kernels also notched a series victory, 2-1, over the Bees.
During the first inning, Burlington (21-33) grabbed a 2-0 lead. Jordan Zimmerman extended the frame with a two-out single coupled with an error. He scored from second base on an RBI single by Brennan Morgan. After a single from Julian Leon, John Schuknecht singled to drive in Morgan.

Cedar Rapids (32-24) took the lead during a five-run second-inning rally. Hamilton and Cavaness each drew two-out walks and scored on a game-tying triple for Brandon Lopez. Aaron Whitefield followed with a walk, and Blankenhorn delivered a single to score Lopez and Whitefield. Jermaine Palacios added an RBI double for a 5-2 Kernels lead.
In the third inning, Mitchell Kranson scored on a wild pitch before the Bees closed the gap to 6-4. A two-out walk by Jeyson Sanchez and a single for Juan Moreno set up Derek Jenkins, who collected an RBI single. Jahmai Jones produced an RBI single of his own to plate Moreno.
Lewin Diaz increased the Kernels' advantage to 7-4 in the top of the fourth. Whitefield led off with a walk and reached third base after a single from Blankenhorn. With one out in the inning, Diaz hit a sacrifice fly to center field that scored Whitefield.
The Bees scored during the sixth and seventh innings and almost tied the contest. Jones came home in the sixth on an RBI groundout by Zimmerman. Schuknecht opened the seventh with a solo shot, which was his fourth home run this season. Later in the seventh, Jenkins doubled and tried to score on a single from Jones, but Cavaness threw out Jenkins at home plate to keep Cedar Rapids in front, 7-6.
Hamilton and Blankenhorn provided critical insurance runs with eighth-inning homers for an 11-6 Kernels lead. Hamilton went opposite field to notch his fourth home run overall, lifting a two-run blast to right field. Blankenhorn also hit a two-run homer to right field, and his sixth round-tripper of the year capped the scoring Sunday.
Eduardo Del Rosario (5-3) was the winning pitcher Sunday. He allowed four runs in five innings and tied Clark Beeker with a team-high five wins apiece. Sam Pastrone (1-5) took the loss after giving up five runs in 1.2 innings in his return from the disabled list. Cedar Rapids relievers Zach Tillery and Logan Lombana each picked up their first holds of the season as well.
The Kernels will be idle Monday before starting a three-game road series Tuesday at the Clinton LumberKings. Tuesday's opener is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. with Kernels right-hander Tyler Wells (2-0, 2.37) and LumberKings left-hander Nick Wells (1-5, 6.70) expected to start. Catch the coverage with Chris Kleinhans-Schulz on 1450 KMRY AM and 93.1 KMRY FM and also online at www.kmryradio.com and www.kernels.com.
Cedar Rapids' next homestand runs from Friday, June 9 through Monday, June 12. Fans can purchase tickets for all Kernels home games by visiting www.kernels.com, going to the Kernels Ticket Office, or calling (319) 896-7560. The Kernels Ticket Office is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. On Sundays when the Kernels have a home game, the Kernels Ticket Office will open at 11:00 a.m.