Kernels begin series at Beloit with win

BELOIT, Wis. - The Kernels beat Beloit 5-2 on Tuesday night at Pohlman Field in the opener of a three-game series. Randy Dobnak (9-5) went seven innings for the victory. Cedar Rapids led 2-1 going into the eighth inning but scored three insurance runs in the ninth inning to pull away.
Dobnak went seven innings and allowed just one run on five hits, striking out five and walking two. He leads the team with nine victories in 2018. Rickey Ramirez earned his second save after going the final two innings, allowing one run on three hits.
Beloit (63-62, 31-25) took an early 1-0 lead in the second inning. Jack Meggs doubled and scored on a RBI single to center by Mickey McDonald.
The Kernels (68-59, 36-22) picked up their first hit and run in the fifth inning. After Ben Rodriguez was hit by a pitch to begin the inning, he moved to third base on Trey Cabbage's single. Rodriguez then scored on a wild pitch by Beloit's starter Bryce Conley, tying the game 1-1.
Cedar Rapids took a 2-1 lead in the sixth inning on another Beloit miscue. Ryan Jeffers drew a two-out to get on base. Trevor Larnach then singled into left field on a 3-2 pitch. Jeffers was running on the pitch, and he was able to score when left fielder Lazaro Armenteros bobbled the ball.
The Kernels added three runs with two outs in the ninth inning to take a 5-1 advantage. Rodriguez started the frame with a walk and came home on a two-out RBI single by Andrew Bechtold. Michael Davis followed with two-run home run to right field, his sixth of the season.
Miguel Mercedes hit his fifth home run of the year to begin the ninth inning, cutting the Kernels lead to 5-2.
The game ended when the Kernels turned their third double play of the night, raising the total to a league-best 129 on the season.
Conley (3-6) allowed just one hit and two runs (one earned) while striking out eight and walking two, but he suffered the loss for the Snappers.
The series at Beloit continues on Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. Blayne Enlow (2-5, 3.32) is scheduled to start for the Kernels against Beloit's Jean Ruiz (5-9, 3.83). Fans can listen to the action on 1450 KMRY AM and 93.1 KMRY FM, as well as online at www.kernels.com and www.kmryradio.com.
The Kernels return home on Friday night to host Kane County at 6:35 p.m. 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.