Beeker Throws Complete-Game Shutout

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - Clark Beeker tossed a career-best nine scoreless innings for a 2-0 shutout Saturday against the Clinton LumberKings in front of 4,159 fans at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Beeker also picked up his 10^th victory and became the first Kernel with at least 10 triumphs in one season since Ryan Eades went 10-11 for Cedar Rapids in 2014.
Beeker (10-3) only needed 100 pitches to complete the five-hit shutout, and he faced just three batters over the minimum. No baserunners advanced past second base against Beeker, who yielded only five hits and was not charged for any runs or walks. He also posted a game-high seven strikeouts in his latest complete-game shutout. Beeker previously went the distance in a 1-0, five-inning triumph April 30 at Peoria within a rain-shortened doubleheader.

Joe Cronin provided the offense for Cedar Rapids (16-19, 55-50) in its 2-0 win. Christian Cavaness hit a leadoff single in the third inning and also stole second base before scoring on Cronin's two-out single. Gorge Munoz singled in the fifth and advanced on a wild pitch and Aaron Whitefield's bunt single to set up Cronin for a sacrifice fly.
Clinton (14-21, 45-57) received strong pitching in the loss from Nick Wells and Tim Viehoff. Wells (4-8) was the losing pitcher Saturday despite a quality start. He only allowed two runs over six innings and posted a team-best four strikeouts. Viehoff followed with two scoreless innings of relief and conceded just one hit.
This series continues Sunday at 2:05 p.m. as left-hander Anthony Marzi (3-1, 1.35) and the Kernels host right-hander Ryne Inman (0-1, 16.88) and the LumberKings. 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.
Western Fraternal Life Kids Eat Free Sunday includes a coupon for a free hot dog, popcorn, and Capri Sun for all kids aged 12 and under. After the game, all fans can run the bases, play catch in the outfield, and get autographs from the Kernels thanks to Prairie Farms and 104.5 KDAT. Travel Advisors Baseball Bingo features a chance to qualify to win a trip to Minneapolis to see a Minnesota Twins game. Fans that ride their bikes to the contest for the Coors Light Bike to the Ballpark are eligible to win Kernels tickets for August 20 and will also be entered into a grand prize drawing for a Coors Light Cruiser Bicycle.
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.