Kernels Win Rain-Shortened 5-0 Shutout

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - Tyler Watson and the Cedar Rapids Kernels shut out the South Bend Cubs, 5-0, in a rain-shortened, six-inning contest Wednesday at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Cedar Rapids (12-8) clinched the series victory in this three-game set and can sweep South Bend (9-13) in Thursday's series finale at 6:35 p.m.
Watson (2-1) posted six strikeouts and yielded just three hits over 5.1 innings pitched for the win in his first professional complete game. Austin Filiere led off the second inning with a double off Watson, who answered by starting a 1-5-4 relay off a Miguel Amaya groundball that cut down Filiere between bases. Only three other baserunners reached scoring position including two Cubs that were stranded with one out in the sixth when the game was called early due to rain.

Andrew Bechtold opened the scoring with a run during the second inning. He opened the frame with a double and advanced to third on Jean Carlos Arias' single. An errant throw to second base on a stolen base attempt by Arias allowed Bechtold to come home and give Cedar Rapids a 1-0 advantage.
A three-run rally in the third stretched the Kernels' lead to 4-0. Alex Kirilloff drove in Akil Baddoo with an RBI double for the inning's first run. Jose Miranda later scored via balk, and Arias added an RBI single that plated Kirilloff. All of Cedar Rapids' four early runs were charged to Erich Uelmen (1-3), who only pitched three innings in a losing decision.
The Kernels also tallied a run within the fifth and secured a 5-0 edge in the process. Kirilloff reached on a one-out error and moved into scoring position on a wild pitch to Bechtold. After a strikeout, Arias batted next and drove in Kirilloff with another single. Arias went 3-of-3 Wednesday with two runs batted in and one stolen base.
Cedar Rapids and South Bend wrap up their three-game series Thursday at 6:35 p.m. with Kernels right-hander Bailey Ober (0-1, 81.00) slated to pitch against Cubs left-hander Ricky Tyler Thomas (1-2, 1.42). Coverage of Thursday's game will be broadcast on 1450 KMRY AM and 93.1 KMRY FM and also online at www.kmryradio.com, www.kernels.com, and MiLB.TV. Mediacom MC22 will cover Thursday's game and air its broadcast later this week via tape delay.
Three 40-inch flat screen televisions will be given away for First Federal Credit Union Flat Screen Thursday (must be present to win and aged 18 and older to participate). 94.1 KRNA Thirsty Thursday includes $2.00 prices for 12 oz. regular draft beer and 20 oz. bottled soda and water. College students can show their college ID at the Kernels Ticket Office to get a $9.00 deal for a club ticket and two regular hot dogs on College Night.
Fans can purchase tickets for all Cedar Rapids 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.