Canterino Collars Snappers for 2-1 Win

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Minnesota Twins prospect Matt Canterino set new personal highs with 10 strikeouts and six innings pitched for a quality start and a 2-1 Cedar Rapids Kernels triumph Friday over the Beloit Snappers at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium. A trio of Kernels pitchers combined for a team-season-high 16 strikeouts in the one-run victory.

Canterino (1-0) retired 18 of 20 batters faced while striking out 10 of those hitters in an impressive performance. He recorded the first quality start of his career with just two hits and one run surrendered over six full frames. Six of his career-high 10 strikeouts came during the first trip through the lineup.

Jordan Gore and Melvi Acosta provided scoreless relief for a hold and a save, respectively. Gore tied a personal best with four total strikeouts in two shutout innings, and Acosta pitched a perfect top of the ninth to close the 2-1 win.

Beloit (8-8) and Cedar Rapids (8-8) each scored a run during the fourth inning. Kameron Misner led off with a solo home run for the Snappers, but Trey Cabbage evened the contest at 1-1 with an RBI groundout.

Matt Wallner drove in the decisive run within the fifth. With two outs and runners at the corners, Wallner bounced an RBI single away from a Snapper shift to pull and plated Leobaldo Cabrera for a 2-1 Kernels lead that was successfully protected through the remainder of the game.

Zach King (0-3) was dealt his third loss in as many starts for Beloit. He notched eight strikeouts while allowing two runs over six innings within a quality start.

Coming up, the Kernels host the Snappers at 6:35 p.m. Saturday at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium. The probable pitchers are Cedar Rapids right-hander Andrew Cabezas (1-0, 1.00) and Beloit right-hander Alberto Guerrero (0-0, 5.40). This game will also be broadcast on www.kernels.com and MiLB.TV.

Postgame fireworks presented by Fleet Farm are scheduled to follow the contest. Plus, the first 500 fans through the gates Saturday will receive a free Twins hat courtesy of Linn County Dairy Queen.

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.