Kirilloff's Clout Caps 6-1 Win Sunday

CLINTON, IOWA - Alex Kirilloff crushed his team-high seventh home run of the year for the Cedar Rapids Kernels late in a 6-1 victory Sunday against the Clinton LumberKings at Ashford University Field. The Kernels (19-19) scored five unanswered runs to win the rubber game and secure a 2-1 series victory over the LumberKings (21-18).
Cedar Rapids and Clinton opened the scoring early in Sunday's contest. Jordan Gore hit a one-out triple in the top of the first and scored on Kirilloff's sacrifice fly. Clinton tied the contest, 1-1, in the bottom of the second with an RBI single from Eugene Helder.

Shane Carrier put Cedar Rapids back in front during the third, and Andrew Bechtold drove an insurance run home in the sixth to build a 3-1 lead. Carrier's bases-loaded sacrifice fly plated go-ahead run Ben Rodriguez late in the third. Bechtold grounded into a double play within the sixth that allowed Jean Carlos Arias to score.
Kirilloff's homer closed the scoring in a three-run ninth inning. Bechtold led off with a walk, advanced to third base on a stolen base coupled with an error, and he scored via wild pitch. Gore's two-out single near the end of the inning kept the frame alive for Kirilloff, who crushed a two-run blast over the right-field wall. Kirilloff leads all Minnesota Twins minor leaguers with seven home runs and 34 runs batted in.
Twins Minor League Pitcher of the Week Brusdar Graterol (2-0) worked around a career-high five walks and notched six strikeouts in five frames to earn the victory. Carlos Suniaga was credited with a hold after three perfect innings of relief, and Calvin Faucher finished the contest with a scoreless and hitless bottom of the ninth.
Oliver Jaskie (1-4) suffered a loss for the fourth time in as many starts this month. Jaskie allowed three runs and nine hits over 5.1 innings pitched.
This seven-game Kernels road swing continues with a four-game series at the Kane County Cougars. First pitch of Monday's series opener will be at 6:30 p.m., and Kernels right-hander Edwar Colina (2-1, 2.53) is scheduled to face Cougars right-hander Matt Peacock (2-1, 2.14). Chris Kleinhans-Schulz will call the contest on 1450 KMRY AM and 93.1 KMRY FM and also online at www.kmryradio.com and www.kernels.com.
Cedar Rapids' next homestand starts Friday, May 25 and consists of nine games including two doubleheaders. Fans can purchase tickets for all Cedar Rapids 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.