Dobnak, Miranda Lead Kernels to 7-0 Win

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - Randy Dobnak's scoreless start and Jose Miranda's productive day at the plate helped the Cedar Rapids Kernels to a 7-0 combined shutout Sunday against the Kane County Cougars at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Miranda slugged his first Midwest League home run and tied a career high with four runs batted in to carry the offense.
Dobnak (1-0) pitched a Kernels-season-best 5.2 innings to open the 7-0 shutout against Kane County (8-6). He allowed six hits and two walks while tallying a game-high four strikeouts. Carlos Suniaga added 2.1 scoreless frames in his Kernels debut, and Kevin Marnon fired back-to-back strikeouts during the ninth inning to finish the contest.

The Kernels (7-3) were held scoreless by Kevin McCanna (0-2) until a four-run rally in the fourth inning. David Banuelos singled to bring in Andrew Bechtold for the first run. Mark Contreras followed with an RBI double, and Ben Rodriguez added an RBI single. Later in the inning, Miranda produced a sacrifice fly that put Cedar Rapids' lead at 4-0.
Miranda extended the Kernels' lead to 7-0 over his final pair of plate appearances. Batting against Jayson McKinley in the sixth inning, Miranda's second sacrifice fly of the contest plated Rodriguez. Within the eighth, he lined a two-run home run to left field off Abraham Almonte to cap Sunday's scoring.
McCanna gave up four runs - two earned - over four innings pitched in a loss for Kane County, which still won the series by a 2-1 margin.
Up next, Cedar Rapids continues its week-long homestand with a four-game series against the Burlington Bees. The series opener is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. Monday. Fans unable to attend Monday's contest can follow the action on 1450 KMRY AM and 93.1 KMRY FM and also online at www.kmryradio.com, www.kernels.com, and MiLB.TV.
The first Mark Down Monday of the season in on tap when the Kernels kick off their four-game set with the Bees. Regular hot dogs are only $1.50 apiece, and small popcorn, ice cream sandwiches, and chips are just $1.00 each at every Kernels Monday home game.
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.