Bullpen Buoys Kernels Wednesday

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – After 8.1 great innings of relief pitching Wednesday, the Cedar Rapids Kernels earned a 5-3 win over the Peoria Chiefs at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Melvi Acosta, Jordan Gore (5-1), Erik Manoah Jr., and Zach Featherstone pitched out of the bullpen which allowed two inherited runners to score but gave up no runs of its own in Wednesday’s victory for the Kernels (30-26).

Both sides tallied three runs in the first inning. Peoria (22-34) claimed a 3-0 lead following RBI singles by Brady Whalen and Zade Richardson with all tallies charged to starting pitcher Cody Laweryson who exited after two outs and 35 pitches. Cedar Rapids got on the scoreboard when Edouard Julien scored on a wild pitch, and Jair Camargo later added a two-run, game-tying home run. Camargo tops Cedar Rapids with 11 round-trippers overall.

Acosta inherited a bases-loaded jam during the first inning with two runs eventually scoring, but he posted scoreless work in the second and third frames to open the bullpen’s long and successful evening. Gore matched a career high with three shutout innings within a winning effort. Manoah kept Peoria scoreless and hitless for two frames and picked up the hold. Featherstone tossed the ninth inning for his third Kernels save.

The Kernels jumped in front, 5-3, in their half of the fifth inning. Michael Helman hit a leadoff double, and Gabriel Maciel received a walk. Yeltsin Encarnacion’s fly out coupled with a Chiefs error allowed both runners to advance two bases each with Helman coming home from second base. Maciel represented an insurance run that scored via Julien’s sacrifice fly.

All five Cedar Rapids runs were charged to Peoria’s Wilfredo Pereira (1-5). He pitched 4.2 innings and yielded four earned runs out of five total tallies plated against him during his first start as a Chief which ended as a loss.

This six-game series continues Thursday at 6:35 p.m. at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium. The probable pitchers are Cedar Rapids right-hander Tyler Beck (1-1, 2.20) and Peoria right-hander Michael YaSenka (0-5, 6.53). Coverage with Chris Kleinhans-Schulz will be available on www.kernels.com and MiLB.TV.

Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Thursday evening, and the first 1,000 fans through the gates will receive the 2021 Kernels Baseball Card Set sponsored by Perfect Game. It will also be a Big Screen Thursday presented by First Federal Credit Union and 104.5 KDAT.

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.