Cedar Rapids Blanks Clinton, 2-0

CLINTON, IOWA - Anthony Marzi, Ryan Mason, and Hector Lujan pitched the Cedar Rapids Kernels to a 2-0 three-hit shutout Monday against the Clinton LumberKings at Ashford University Field. The Kernels picked up back-to-back shutout victories for the first time since July 28-29, 2016 at the Kane County Cougars. Cedar Rapids also won this four-game series at Clinton, 3-1.
Marzi (1-0) posted a career-high eight strikeouts over 6.2 shutout innings and earned the victory in his Kernels debut Monday. The southpaw was recently acquired from the New Britain Bees of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, and he cruised in his first Midwest League start. Marzi also retired 12 consecutive batters in one stretch within his quality start.

Danny Garcia matched Marzi through five shutout innings for the LumberKings (3-9, 34-45). He stranded a runner in scoring position in each of his final four frames and tallied four strikeouts without allowing a walk during a scoreless outing.
Ben Rortvedt put the Kernels (6-6, 45-37) in front by a 1-0 margin in the sixth inning. Lewin Diaz hit a one-out single against Clinton reliever Michael Koval and advanced to second base on a Hank Morrison groundout. On the next pitch, Rortvedt lined an RBI single to center field that plated Diaz and gave Cedar Rapids the lead.
The LumberKings' best scoring opportunity came in the bottom of the seventh. Nick Thurman drew a leadoff walk before Gareth Morgan launched a deep drive to left field, but Lean Marrero robbed Morgan at the wall for the first out. After a force out and a hit batter, Mason came in out of the bullpen and stranded the pair of runners with an inning-ending fly out.
Cedar Rapids stretched its lead to 2-0 during the eighth. Joe Cronin led off the frame with his first career triple. Two batters later, Diaz singled to right field and drove in Cronin. Koval (1-5) was tagged as the losing pitcher after giving up two runs over three innings pitched.
Mason retired the side in bottom of the eighth while securing his second hold of the season, and Lujan tossed a perfect ninth inning for his eighth save and his second in as many days. Cedar Rapids' 2-0 win was also its second consecutive three-hit shutout against Clinton.
Coming up, Cedar Rapids starts a seven-game homestand Tuesday at 5:05 p.m. against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. The probable pitchers are Kernels right-hander Eduardo Del Rosario (7-4, 4.99) and Timber Rattlers right-hander Thomas Jankins (3-6, 4.76). 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.
Postgame fireworks are scheduled as part of the Kernels' Fourth of July celebration. Cedar Rapids will wear special patriotic jerseys sponsored by Dave Wright Nissan Subaru that will be auctioned off during the game to support the ALS Association - Iowa Chapter. The first 1,000 fans through the gates will receive a Kernels Military Heroes Baseball Card Set courtesy of Dave Wright Nissan Subaru. Fans can also purchase a raffle ticket for the annual Quilt Raffle to Honor Local Veterans for a chance to win a handmade quilt donated by Connie's Quilt Shop. Gates open at 4:00 p.m. for the 5:05 p.m. contest.
The next Kernels homestand begins Tuesday, July 4 and continues through Monday, July 10. 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.