Helman’s Leadoff Blast Not Enough

DAVENPORT, Iowa – Michael Helman homered on the fourth pitch of Saturday’s game at Modern Woodmen Park, but the Cedar Rapids Kernels lost to the Quad Cities River Bandits, 6-1. The River Bandits (35-16) scored six unanswered runs en route to their fourth consecutive victory and a 4-1 series lead.

Helman’s career-best seventh home run gave the Kernels (27-26) a quick 1-0 advantage. He launched a leadoff solo shot to left field within the first inning. It was the second game-opening round-tripper this week following Edouard Julien’s fourth-pitch clout Wednesday.

Kody Funderburk (1-3) was working on a no-hitter through four innings before Quad Cities surged ahead during the fifth. Nick Loftin’s two-out, two-run single turned the 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 lead. Funderburk ended with just two hits and two runs yielded over five innings pitched but was still the losing pitcher Saturday.

The River Bandits padded their advantage with two runs each in the sixth and the eighth. Jimmy Govern hit a two-out, two-run double within the sixth inning. Jake Means opened the eighth with a solo homer, and Logan Porter produced an RBI single later in the frame.

Asa Lacy (2-4) and Dante Biasi picked up the win and the save, respectively. Lacy recorded a career-high-tying nine strikeouts over a personal-best six full innings with just one run allowed in his first professional quality start. Biasi was nearly perfect for three frames during his second save in as many opportunities.

This six-game series closes Sunday night with Cedar Rapids right-hander Jon Olsen (0-3, 4.22) starting versus Quad Cities right-hander Noah Murdock (0-1, 7.04). First pitch is at 6:00 p.m., and Chris Kleinhans-Schulz will broadcast the contest on www.kernels.com.

Cedar Rapids will host its next homestand Tuesday, July 6 through Sunday, July 11. 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.