Kernels Hand Rattlers First Home Shutout of 2018

GRAND CHUTE, WI - Two Cedar Rapids Kernels pitchers combined on a six-hit, 4-0 shutout of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Tuesday night at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. Randy Dobnak allowed six hits over 7-2/3 innings and struck out six for his sixth win of the season. Jovani Moran struck out all four Wisconsin hitters he faced to close out the game.
The Kernels (43-39 overall, 11-2 second half) took the lead with three runs in the top of the second inning. Robby Rinn, who had three hits in the game, singled off the second base bag to start the inning and Andrew Bechtold drove him home with a double. Later in the inning, Jordan Gore drove in two runs with a double for a 3-0 advantage.

Wisconsin starting pitcher Dylan File recovered after the second inning and didn't allow another run. The right-hander scatted ten hits over six innings with five strikeouts, but would ultimately be tagged with the loss.

Cedar Rapids added to their lead in the seventh against reliever Michael Petersen. A walk and a double put runners on second and third for the Kernels. Jose Miranda drove in the runner from third with a sacrifice fly for a 4-0 lead.

The Timber Rattlers (35-46, 4-8) were held to six hits in the game as they were shutout at home for the first time this season. Zach Clark extended his current hitting streak to seven games as he went 3-for-3 with a double for the Rattlers.

This was only the third time this season Wisconsin's offense did not score a run in a game. However, this was the tenth time Cedar Rapids has shut out an opponent.

The win by Cedar Rapids allowed them to clinch the season series from the Timber Rattlers and gave them the tie-breaker over Wisconsin in case of a tie for a playoff spot at the end of the season.
The series with the Kernels shifts to Perfect Game Field in Cedar Rapids for Independence Day. Nelson Hernández (8-5, 4.68) gets the start for the Timber Rattlers. The Kernels have named Edwar Colina (3-2, 3.24) as their starter. Game time is 5:05pm. The radio broadcast is on AM1280, WNAM starting with the Potawatomi Hotel & Casino Pregame Show at 4:45pm. The broadcast is also available on the Tune In and IHeart Radio apps. Subscribers to MiLB.tv can watch the game over the internet.