Javier's Homer Sparks 8-6 Comeback Win

CLINTON, IOWA - Wander Javier launched his first Midwest League home run Tuesday at NelsonCorp Field and helped the Cedar Rapids Kernels rally from a five-run deficit to earn an 8-6 victory over the Clinton LumberKings. Cedar Rapids (29-28) passed Clinton (28-28) while securing fourth place in the Western Division and third place within the wild card race.
The Kernels were trailing by a 6-1 margin entering the fifth inning, but Javier's blast started to turn the momentum. With two outs and two runners aboard, Javier crushed a three-run homer to left field that closed the gap to 6-4.

Three more runs in the eighth put Cedar Rapids in front, 7-6. Andrew Bechtold's leadoff single coupled with an error put him at second base and locked up a league-high-tying 24-game on-base streak. Gabe Snyder added a single to drive Bechtold home. Two batters later, Gabriel Maciel hit an RBI triple to bring in Snyder. Gilberto Celestino grounded into an error that allowed Maciel to score the go-ahead run.
Cedar Rapids tallied their seventh unanswered run and stretched its lead to 8-6 during the ninth. Bechtold reached on an error and advanced on two wild pitches before scoring via error following a groundball from Estamy Urena.
Tuesday's series opener was dominated by Clinton over the first four frames. Will Banfield's two-run double in the first inning produced a quick 2-0 advantage. Ben Rodriguez clubbed a solo home run for the Kernels within the fourth inning, but the LumberKings responded with three runs to build a 6-1 advantage.
Jose Martinez (2-1) retired four of five batters faced and received credit for the win. Derek Molina completed the eighth and ninth innings for his team-high sixth save.
A blown save and a loss went to Tyler Jones (1-3) after allowing three runs in 2.1 innings pitched. George Soriano started for Clinton and recorded a career-high nine strikeouts but was knocked out of a win by the Cedar Rapids comeback.
The middle meeting of this three-game series is slated for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday night with Cedar Rapids right-hander Austin Schulfer (4-2, 2.95) squaring off with Clinton right-hander Tanner Andrews (0-2, 4.55). Chris Kleinhans-Schulz will call the contest on 1450 KMRY AM and 93.1 KMRY and also online at www.kmryradio.com and www.kernels.com.
The final Kernels homestand in the first half of the 2019 season begins June 11 and runs through June 16. 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.