Tyler Wells Fans 10 in Combined Shutout

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - Right-hander Tyler Wells posted 10 strikeouts in four innings Wednesday, and he opened a 3-0 Cedar Rapids Kernels shutout against the Quad Cities River Bandits at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Quad Cities took a no-hitter into the sixth inning but lost that bid and the contest as Lewin Diaz helped Cedar Rapids grab all three runs.
Wells, who was activated off the disabled list earlier in the day, started the combined shutout for the Kernels (30-23). He recorded multiple strikeouts in each of his four innings, including three strikeouts in the third and the fourth. Colton Davis, Alex Robinson, Andrew Vasquez, and Hector Lujan all added scoreless work out of the bullpen. Cedar Rapids' five pitchers combined for 17 strikeouts to set a new team season high.

Enoli Paredes led Quad Cities (26-25) with five no-hit innings while facing one batter over the minimum. He gave up a walk to Ben Rortvedt during the bottom of the third but nothing else in five frames within a scoreless outing.
The Kernels broke up the no-hitter and took a 1-0 lead in the sixth inning against Yohan Ramirez. Aaron Whitefield collected a one-out single, and an error and a hit batter followed to load the bases. Diaz hit a sacrifice fly to left field that allowed Whitefield to score the game's first run.
Diaz stretched Cedar Rapids' lead to 3-0 during the eighth. After an Ariel Montesino single and a Jermaine Palacios walk, Diaz doubled to right field to bring in Montesino. Palacios was thrown out at home plate, and Diaz advanced to third base on the throw. He would later come home on a wild pitch from Ramirez to cap the scoring.
Davis, who pitched two shutout innings, was credited as the winning pitcher and improved to 3-1. Robinson earned his fifth hold, and Vasquez grabbed his fourth hold. Lujan claimed his second save of the season. Ramirez was charged for the loss and slipped to 0-1.
The series finale between the Kernels and River Bandits is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. Thursday. Cedar Rapids right-hander Sean Poppen (3-1, 2.35) will face Quad Cities right-hander Dustin Hunt (0-3, 5.40). Chris Kleinhans-Schulz 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 game will also be broadcast on Mediacom MC22 via tape delay.
Postgame fireworks highlight Thursday's activities. Princess Night includes appearances by Belle, Snow White, Cinderella, and Elsa courtesy of Glass Slipper Entertainment. World Series champion Freddy Sanchez will be on hand for Clubfoot Awareness Night. It is also Especially for You Night, featuring special Kernels jerseys that will be auctioned off to support the Especially for You Race. Three 40-inch flat-screen televisions will be given away on First Federal Credit Union Flat Screen Thursday. 94.1 KRNA Thirsty Thursday includes $2 prices for 12 oz. regular draft beer and 20 oz. bottled soda and water. College Night offers a $9 package for a club ticket and two regular hot dogs for students that show their college ID at the Kernels Ticket Office.
Fans can purchase tickets for all 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 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.