Lewis Launches Kernels to Four-Game Sweep

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - Royce Lewis' three-run home run in the fifth inning Monday lifted the Cedar Rapids Kernels toward a 5-4 win and a four-game sweep of the Beloit Snappers in front of 3,586 fans at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Hector Lujan capped the contest with his Midwest League-leading 16th save as the Kernels (29-28, 68-59) secured their first series sweep of the year and a season-best five-game win streak.
Lewis, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 First-Year Player Draft, broke a 1-1 tie with his first Midwest League round-tripper. Jimmy Kerrigan hit a one-out single, and Joe Cronin extended the inning with a two-out single. Lewis batted next and crushed a three-run homer to left field to put Cedar Rapids ahead, 4-1.

Beloit (27-29, 59-66) trailed 5-2 entering the ninth inning and scored two runs in the frame before falling short. The Snappers immediately loaded the bases for Jesus Lopez, who forced in Kyle Nowlin on a walk from Colton Davis. Hector Lujan relieved Davis but gave up a pinch-hit RBI single to J.C. Rodriguez. Edwin Diaz followed with a fly out that kept the bases full, and Lujan fielded a ground ball from Mike Martin and started a 1-2-3 double play that ended the contest.
Both sides posted early runs that evened the contest prior to Lewis' go-ahead blast. Travis Blankenhorn swiped home plate during a double steal in the first inning and gave Cedar Rapids a quick 1-0 advantage. In the second inning, Collin Theroux tied the game with a two-out RBI single that plated Eric Mariñez.
Late runs set up Beloit's comeback opportunity. Lopez lined a solo home run to left field in the seventh inning to trim Beloit's deficit to 4-2. Aaron Whitefield answered for Cedar Rapids within the eighth on sacrifice fly. Joe Cronin scored on the play and served as the decisive tally in the Kernels' 5-4 win.
Tyler Wells (5-2) picked up the victory Monday, and Xavier Altamirano (7-5) was charged with the loss. Wells only allowed two runs over 6.1 innings pitched in his first start back with Cedar Rapids following a recent stint with the Gulf Coast League Twins. Altamirano yielded four runs - three earned - in five innings pitched for Beloit. Kernels reliever Eduardo Del Rosario also earned his second hold by tossing 1.2 scoreless innings.
Coming up, Cedar Rapids begins a seven-game road swing with a three-game series at the Kane County Cougars. Tuesday's opener is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., and Kernels left-hander Bryan Sammons (2-0, 3.46) will face Cougars right-hander Connor Grey (1-1, 2.63). Catch the coverage with Morgan Hawk on 1450 KMRY AM and 93.1 KMRY FM and also online at www.kmryradio.com and www.kernels.com.
Cedar Rapids' last homestand of the regular season begins Wednesday, August 30 and ends Friday, September 1. Fans can purchase 2017 Kernels regular season and playoff tickets 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.