Colina Collars Clinton Within 7-2 Victory

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - The Cedar Rapids Kernels notched a 7-2 wire-to-wire win Wednesday over the Clinton LumberKings following a strong start from Edwar Colina and a balanced offensive effort at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Cedar Rapids (23-9, 55-46) also grabbed a 1-0 series lead against Clinton (17-14, 56-45).
Colina (4-3) opened his quality start with seven shutout innings. He took a no-hitter into the fifth inning that was broken up by a one-out double by Keegan McGovern. Colina finished with a career-high nine strikeouts, and he did not allow a walk for the second time this season.

Akil Baddoo quickly put Cedar Rapids in front, 1-0, during the opening stanza. Baddoo hit a solo home run to right field on the first pitch of the bottom of the first. Baddoo's blast was his ninth round-tripper this season and his third leadoff shot.
Two more runs in the fifth stretched the Kernels' lead to 3-0. Michael Davis launched his first Kernels home run to right field. Baddoo later singled and scored from first base on a hit-and-run single from Jose Miranda.
The Kernels increased their advantage to 7-0 within the seventh. Ryan Jeffers produced a bases-loaded single for his first Midwest League hit to drive in David Banuelos. Miranda followed with an RBI single of his own. Near the end of the frame, a single from Robby Rinn allowed Baddoo and Jeffers to come home.
Clinton scored a pair of runs in the eighth before Rickey Ramirez secured Cedar Rapids' win. Ramirez inherited a bases-loaded situation from Colina and gave up a leadoff walk to Zach Scott and an RBI force out from Ariel Sandoval. Ramirez exited the inning without further trouble and struck out the side in the ninth to finish the 7-2 Kernels triumph.
Ryne Inman (3-7) was the losing pitcher for the LumberKings. Inman gave up three runs over five innings pitched within his fifth consecutive losing decision.
Game two of this three-game series is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. Thursday. Kernels left-hander Tyler Watson (3-4, 4.80) will pitch against LumberKings right-hander Clay Chandler (6-1, 3.16). Chris Kleinhans-Schulz will call the action on 1450 KMRY AM and 93.1 KMRY FM and also online at www.kmryradio.com, www.kernels.com, and MiLB.TV.
During this homestand, the Kernels are partnering with Minor League Baseball and BUSH'S Beans for a food drive to collect non-perishable food donations that will be given to HACAP. Fans aged 18 and older can get a free raffle ticket for a chance to win one of three 40-inch flat screen televisions to be raffled off for First Federal Credit Union Flat Screen Thursday. 94.1 KRNA Thirsty Thursday includes $2.00 prices for 12 oz. regular draft beer and 20 oz. bottled soda or water. College Night offers a $9.00 package for a club ticket and two hot dogs for students that present a college ID at the Kernels Ticket Office.
Fans can purchase tickets for all Cedar Rapids 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.