Lewis' Big Birthday Blast Keys Twin Bill Split

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - Royce Lewis hit a grand slam on his 19th birthday and helped the Cedar Rapids Kernels grab a 14-3 win Tuesday in game two of a twin bill split against the Beloit Snappers at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Alex Kirilloff joined Lewis with a grand slam of his own to become the Midwest League's outright leader in home runs. Beloit (26-30) won the first contest of Tuesday's twin bill by a 5-2 margin against Cedar Rapids (27-29).
Lewis and Kirilloff each collected their first professional grand slams to turn a close nightcap into a blowout. Lewis batted with a one-run lead in the fourth inning when he launched a bases-clearing home run to left field. Trey Cabbage hit an RBI double early in the fifth before Kirilloff lifted a four-run clout to left field later in the inning for a 12-2 Kernels lead. Kirilloff's blast was his league-leading 11th round-tripper overall.

The grand slams secured a contest that was separated by one run over the first three frames. Ben Rortvedt's first-inning sacrifice fly gave Cedar Rapids a quick 1-0 advantage. Beloit surged to a 2-1 lead in the top of the third on Logan Farrar's bunt single coupled with an error, but Robby Rinn responded with a two-run, go-ahead homer in Cedar Rapids' half of the inning.
Both sides also scored during the sixth inning. Skyler Weber delivered an RBI single for the Snappers. Andrew Bechtold came through with an RBI single for the Kernels prior to a sacrifice fly from Jordan Gore.
Jared Finkel (3-2) picked up the victory in game two over Jean Ruiz (0-5). Finkel yielded just one run in three innings out of the bullpen. Ruiz was tagged for seven runs over four innings pitched.
In Tuesday's doubleheader opener, Beloit scored in three consecutive innings to build a 3-0 lead. Jack Meggs opened the scoring with a second-inning RBI single that plated Farrar. Trace Loehr produced a solo shot during the third inning. Meggs led off the fourth with a triple and scored on a single from Jesus Lopez.
The Kernels answered in the home half of the fourth and trimmed the deficit to 3-2. Jose Miranda clubbed a leadoff home run to put Cedar Rapids on the scoreboard. Rinn added a one-out double and scored when Bechtold followed with a single.
Lopez and the Snappers pulled away within the sixth inning. Jordan Devencenzi started the frame with a double and advanced to third base via groundout. Lopez batted next and hit a two-run blast that pushed Beloit's lead to 5-2.
Jared Poché (2-4) allowed only two runs over five innings to earn the win. Blayne Enlow (0-2) took the loss after giving up five runs in a career-high-tying six innings. Seth Martinez notched his team-high sixth save with two perfect frames of relief.
This series continues with a day-night doubleheader Wednesday that includes two seven-inning games. The twin bill opener is scheduled for 12:05 p.m. with coverage available online at www.kmryradio.com, www.kernels.com, and MiLB.TV, and the nightcap will begin at 6:35 p.m. featuring broadcast coverage on 1450 KMRY AM and 93.1 KMRY FM and also online at www.kmryradio.com, www.kernels.com, and MiLB.TV.
Each game of Wednesday's twin bill is its own ticketed event, so separate tickets are required for fans interested in attending both tilts. Game one includes a Noon Game Combo Special that consists of a regular sandwich (hamburger, cheeseburger, hot dog, or brat), a choice of chips or popcorn, and either a 16 oz. regular draft beer or 20 oz. bottled soda or water for just $8.50.
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.