DAVENPORT, IOWA - A six-run, tie-breaking fourth inning and back-to-back home runs from Jose Miranda and Ryan Jeffers drove the Cedar Rapids Kernels toward an 8-1 win Tuesday against the Quad Cities River Bandits at Modern Woodmen Park. Cedar Rapids (27-11, 59-48) won back-to-back games at Quad Cities (19-18, 59-48)
DAVENPORT, IOWA - A six-run, tie-breaking fourth inning and back-to-back home runs from Jose Miranda and Ryan Jeffers drove the Cedar Rapids Kernels toward an 8-1 win Tuesday against the Quad Cities River Bandits at Modern Woodmen Park. Cedar Rapids (27-11, 59-48) won back-to-back games at Quad Cities (19-18, 59-48) after losing two previous games at home to the River Bandits.
After a scoreless start through three innings, Cedar Rapids broke the game open in the fourth while taking a 6-0 lead. Akil Baddoo led off with a double and scored after a single from Miranda. Jacob Pearson and Michael Davis each produced two-run doubles later in the frame, and Gabriel Maciel added an RBI single.
Quad Cities answered in the bottom of the fourth with its only run of the evening. Chandler Taylor crushed a solo home run to right field that closed the River Bandits' deficit to 6-1.
Miranda and Jeffers each hit solo shots to start the fifth inning and give Cedar Rapids an 8-1 advantage. Miranda opened with his 13th homer of the season to tie former Kernels outfielder Alex Kirilloff for the team lead. Jeffers delivered a solo blast of his own, and he would finish a triple shy of hitting for the cycle while going 3-of-5 in Tuesday's tilt.
Edwar Colina (5-3) limited the River Bandits to one run over six innings pitched to pick up the victory. Colina registered a game-high seven strikeouts within a quality start and his first road win this year.
Jose Martinez earned his team-high fifth save after tossing three scoreless and hitless innings of relief with just one walk allowed. Due to the removal of Cedar Rapids' designated hitter within the contest, Martinez also notched his first professional plate appearance in the game and struck out looking to open the eighth.
Leovanny Rodriguez took the loss Tuesday for the River Bandits. Rodriguez yielded six runs and eight hits over 3.2 innings pitched.
This five-game Kernels road swing continues with a three-game visit to the Peoria Chiefs. Wednesday's series opener is scheduled for 7:00 p.m., and Cedar Rapids southpaw Tyler Watson (4-4, 4.37) will face Peoria right-hander Alvaro Seijas (3-6, 4.63). Chris Kleinhans-Schulz will call the game on 1450 KMRY AM and 93.1 KMRY FM and also online at www.kmryradio.com and www.kernels.com.
Cedar Rapids' final 15 home games of the regular season are coming up in August. 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.
The Cedar Rapids Kernels are the Midwest League affiliate of the Minnesota Twins.
