Rijo, Javier Highlight 6-1 Triumph

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - Luis Rijo's quality start and Wander Javier's early three-run home run helped the Cedar Rapids Kernels win a 6-1 decision Thursday against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in front of 2,421 fans at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
Rijo (4-6) earned back-to-back victories for Cedar Rapids (19-13, 58-44) for the first time this season. He gave up only one run on four hits over a career-high-tying seven innings pitched. Rijo also posted a game-high eight strikeouts without allowing a walk.

Javier capped the scoring in the opening stanza and pushed the Kernels in front, 4-0. Trevor Casanova drove Cedar Rapids ahead with a one-out RBI single that brought in Spencer Steer. Javier batted next and cleared the Plumbers & Pipefitters Pavilion in left field for his sixth blast this year and the team's Midwest League-leading 83rd round-tripper overall.
Wisconsin (18-14, 49-52) closed the gap to 4-1 on Leugim Castillo's third-inning groundout, but back-to-back sacrifice flies in the fourth gave Cedar Rapids a 6-1 advantage. A dropped sacrifice fly hit by Gabe Snyder drove in Alex Isola and kept the bases loaded. Casanova added a sacrifice fly of his own with Daniel Ozoria coming home on the play.
J.T. Perez protected the 6-1 Kernels lead during the final two innings in a non-save situation. He pitched a perfect eighth inning but yielded two early singles in the ninth. Perez responded with back-to-back strikeouts to end the game.
Reese Olson (3-6) was the losing pitcher Thursday. He conceded six runs including four earned runs over 3.1 innings. The Timber Rattlers now trail the Kernels by a 2-0 margin in this three-game set.
Cedar Rapids and Wisconsin will close their series Friday evening. First pitch will be at 6:35 p.m., and Kernels right-hander Andrew Cabezas (4-5, 3.54) is scheduled to face Timber Rattlers southpaw Scott Sunitsch (7-10, 4.76). Morgan Hawk will have the call on 1450 KMRY AM and 93.1 KMRY FM and also online at www.kmryradio.com, www.kernels.com, and MiLB.TV.
The first 1,000 fans through the gates on Iowa Hawkeye Theme Night will receive a free Kernels Black & Gold Cap. Herky and the Iowa Cheer Squad will be in attendance, and Cedar Rapids will wear special jerseys that will be auctioned off during the contest to benefit the Linn County I-Club. The Eastern Iowa Freedom from Hunger Food Drive will accept donations outside the main gates at Friday's game. 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.