Rijo Baffles Bees in 4-2 Triumph

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - A season-high crowd of 4,639 fans was on hand at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium as Luis Rijo tossed a career-best 10 strikeouts over seven scoreless innings and picked up the victory in a 4-2 Cedar Rapids Kernels win against the Burlington Bees.
Rijo (2-5) gave up one single in an otherwise perfect start for Cedar Rapids (8-6, 47-37). He struck out at least one batter in each of his seven innings and notched his first 10-strikeout performance of his professional career. Rijo threw just 73 pitches while facing one batter over the minimum.

Jared Akins broke a lengthy drought and drove the Kernels to a 3-0 lead within the sixth inning. Gilberto Celestino led off with a single, and Chris Williams received a one-out walk. Akins batted next and hit a three-run home run to right-center field that ended an 0-of-27 skid.
Celestino increased the advantage to 4-0 Cedar Rapids during the seventh. Daniel Ozoria was at second base when Celestino ripped a two-out triple off the top of the left-center-field wall.
Burlington (4-10, 43-41) broke up the shutout in the ninth but still landed on the wrong side of a 4-2 decision. Nonie Williams put the Bees on the scoreboard with a two-out, two-run home run. Spencer Griffin was hit by a pitch which allowed Connor Fitzsimons to bat as the potential game-tying run. Jose Martinez fired a strikeout to retire Fitzsimons and end the game.
Luis Alvarado (3-5) recorded a quality start but also took the loss. Alvarado allowed three runs over six innings and posted a team-high five strikeouts.
Friday's homestand finale is set for 6:35 p.m. with Cedar Rapids right-hander Josh Winder (6-1, 2.40) scheduled to square off with Burlington right-hander Kyle Tyler (4-0, 3.64). Fans unable to attend the game can follow the action on 1450 KMRY AM and 93.1 KMRY FM and also online at www.kmryradio.com, www.kernels.com, and MiLB.TV.
Postgame fireworks will follow Friday's contest. Nickelodeon Night featuring PAW Patrol includes a free PAW Patrol Skye drawstring backpack giveaway for the first 1,000 fans. Skye will be at the ballpark Friday, and the Kernels will wear special PAW Patrol jerseys that will be auctioned off during the game to support Critter Crusaders of Cedar Rapids. It is also Kernels Friday Mug Club Night sponsored by Stadium Bar & Grill, Shuey's Restaurant & Lounge, Mr. B's, Mulligan's Pub, and Z102.9.
Fans can purchase tickets for all Cedar Rapids 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 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturdays. On Sundays when the Kernels have a home game, the Kernels Ticket Office will open at 11:00 a.m.