Beeker, Kernels Defeat Chiefs Friday

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - A quality start from Clark Beeker helped the Cedar Rapids Kernels win a 5-2 decision Friday against the Peoria Chiefs in front of 2,701 fans at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Beeker earned his team-high eighth victory and recorded his 10^th quality start in 15 appearances this year.
Both teams scored in the opening stanza. Peoria's Ryan McCarvel led off the contest with a triple and later scored on an RBI single from Vince Jackson. Cedar Rapids evened the score at 1-1 during the bottom of the first on an RBI single by Amaurys Minier.

Beeker silenced the Chiefs (10-6, 40-45) over the remainder of his quality start. Following Jackson's RBI single in the first inning, Beeker retired the next eight batters that he faced, and he also yielded only three baserunners over his last five frames on the mound. He improved to 8-2 as the winning pitcher Friday.
The Kernels (8-8, 47-39) posted a four-run rally in the third inning to grab a 5-1 lead. With one out and the bases loaded, Ben Rortvedt singled to drive in Hank Morrison for the go-ahead run. After a force out off the bat of Christian Cavaness, Gorge Munoz hit a two-run double that plated Joe Cronin and Rortvedt. Aaron Whitefield added an RBI single to bring in Cavaness.
Dylan Carlson homered for Peoria in the eighth but only cut the deficit to 5-2. Carlson launched a two-out solo shot to right field for his sixth blast of the season. His home run was Peoria's only offense in a late comeback attempt.
Alex Robinson finished the contest with four consecutive outs and picked up his second career save. His first save was also against Peoria back on May 17 in a 7-4 Kernels triumph.
Peoria's Frederis Parra (1-2) took the loss in Friday's contest. He was charged for five runs over 2.2 innings pitched. The four runs that Parra allowed in the decisive third inning were unearned.
Cedar Rapids and Peoria continue this four-game series at 6:35 p.m. Saturday. Kernels right-hander Griffin Jax (1-0, 0.00) will face Chiefs left-hander Evan Kruczynski (0-1, 4.70). Catch the coverage with Chris Kleinhans-Schulz on 1450 KMRY AM and 93.1 KMRY FM and also online at www.kmryradio.com, www.kernels.com, and MiLB.TV.
Nick Jr. Night featuring Paw Patrol includes postgame fireworks following the contest and a free Paw Patrol Tote Bag for the first 1,000 fans through the gates. The Kernels will also wear Paw Patrol-themed jerseys that will be auctioned off during the game to support Gems Forever Animal Rescue. Fans can visit the concourse to sign up for a chance to win one of two 4-packs of Paw Patrol Live tickets that will be given away at the ballpark.
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.