Marzi Wins Pitchers' Duel Against Beloit

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - Anthony Marzi tossed a quality start Friday for the Cedar Rapids Kernels and picked up a 2-1 victory against the Beloit Snappers in front of 3,676 fans at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Ryan Mason notched his team-high eighth hold in relief of Marzi, and Hector Lujan secured his 14th save to tie former Kane County Cougar Tommy Eveld for the Midwest League lead.
Marzi outdueled Beloit's Zack Erwin to earn the victory and improve to 5-2 with the Kernels (26-28, 65-59). Marzi retired the first six batters that he faced and only allowed one run and four hits over seven innings. He also posted his sixth quality start in eight appearances with Cedar Rapids. Erwin dropped to 5-4 with the loss after yielding two runs - one earned - over 6.2 innings.

Mason and Lujan each tossed a scoreless inning in Cedar Rapids' 2-1 triumph. J.C. Rodriguez hit a leadoff single in the eighth but was stranded at third base when Mason struck out Luke Persico. Lujan also kept a runner at third with a called strikeout against Edwin Diaz for the final out.
Beloit (27-26, 59-63) scored the game's first run during the top of the third inning. Diaz led off with a walk and advanced to third base on a double from Rodriguez. Mike Martin grounded into a fielder's choice that allowed Diaz to score and give the Snappers a 1-0 lead.
In the bottom of the third, Cedar Rapids evened the contest at 1-1. A one-out walk to Joe Cronin set up Royce Lewis, and the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 First-Year Player Draft doubled and drove in Cronin from first base. Lewis stole third base and tried to score on a two-out bunt, but Aaron Whitefield was called out on batter interference to keep the game tied.
Trey Cabbage broke the tie within the seventh and put the Kernels in front, 2-1. Caleb Hamilton reached on a throwing error to start the inning. Shane Carrier produced a one-out double, and Cabbage followed with a sacrifice fly to bring in Hamilton.
Game two of this four-game series will be played at 6:35 p.m. Saturday night. Kernels left-hander Charlie Barnes (1-0, 4.50) is scheduled to pitch against Snappers right-hander Seth Martinez (4-7, 4.02). Catch the coverage on 1450 KMRY AM and 93.1 KMRY FM and also online at www.kmryradio.com, www.kernels.com, and MiLB.TV.
Postgame fireworks presented by Special Olympics will follow Saturday's contest as part of Cargill/Special Olympics Night. There will also be a silent auction on the concourse during the game with all proceeds from the auction going to support Special Olympics.
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.