Kernels Crack Three Homers to Beat Rattlers

GRAND CHUTE, WI – Matt Wallner hit two homers for the Cedar Rapids Kernels on Tuesday night and led the visitors to a 5-3 win over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium in game one of the six-game series.

Click here for the boxscore of this game

The Kernels (41-32) used the long ball to take a 3-0 lead in the top of the third inning. Edouard Julien hit a two-run home run to score the first two runs of the game. Matt Wallner, who had doubled in the first inning, lined a homer over the wall in right and Cedar Rapids was up 3-0.

The Kernels had runners at the corners with no outs in the top of the fourth inning and scored a run when Wisconsin starting pitcher Freisis Adames go Jair Camargo to ground into a 6-4-3 double play.

Wisconsin (35-37) had chances in the first, third, and fifth innings. Je’Von Ward singled sharply to left with runners at first and second with two outs in bottom of the first inning, but left fielder Michael Helman threw out the runner trying to score at the plate for the final out.

The Rattlers had runners at second and third with one out in the third and runners at the corners with one out in the fifth, but could not score.

Cedar Rapids starting pitcher Louie Varland pitched five scoreless innings and turned a 4-0 lead over to his bullpen.

Thomas Dillard got Wisconsin on the scoreboard in the bottom of the sixth inning with a 444-foot home run off the middle of the batter’s eye beyond the wall in center. The home run was Dillard’s thirteenth of the season.

Wisconsin pulled to within two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. Hayden Cantrelle drew a walk, stole second, and went to third on a wild pitch. Korry Howell was hit by a pitch to put runners on the corners with one out and Dillard hit a wicked line drive to center for a sacrifice fly to score Cantrelle.

Dillard has 60 RBI this season.

Wallner gave the Kernels a 5-2 lead with his second homer of the night when he homered to right to lead off the top of the eighth inning.

Wisconsin drew two walks in the bottom of the eighth, but both were left stranded by reliever Zach Featherstone. The Kernels lefty pitched a 1-2-3 bottom of the ninth for his fifth save of the season.

The Timber Rattlers stranded a total of twelve runners in the game and went 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position.

Game two of the series is scheduled for Wednesday night. Zach Mort (1-4, 6.79) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. The Kernels have named Jon Olsen (1-3, 3.40) as their starter. Game time is 7:05pm.

Lorenzo Cain won his first Gold Glove in 2019 and we have a Gold Glove Lorenzo Cain Bobblehead giveaway on Wednesday night. We had this one on the schedule for 2020, but…well…you know. Be one of the first 1,000 fans to attend this game and pick up this salute to Lo Cain’s Gold Glove Season courtesy of Skipper Bud’s.

Wednesday is also a Bark in the Park game presented by Fox Valley Humane Association, Fleet Farm, and WVBO, too. Fans can bring their pups to the ballpark with a seat on the left field berm. Click this link for the details you need to know before bringing your canine to the game.

If you can’t make it out to the ballpark on Wednesday, the radio broadcast begins at 6:45pm on AM 1280, WNAM. The game can also be heard on internet audio and MiLB.tv.