Kernels Slam, Shut Out Lugnuts in Twin Bill

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – 14 innings of scoreless pitching and a walk-off grand slam by Gabriel Maciel led the Cedar Rapids Kernels to seven-inning shutouts of 4-0 and 1-0 Wednesday in a twin bill sweep of the Lansing Lugnuts at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Wednesday’s victories lift Cedar Rapids (24-20) to a season-high seven-game win streak.

Maciel won the doubleheader opener with his bases-loaded blast during the seventh. Maciel fouled away multiple two-strike, two-out pitches before launching a four-run home run over the Plumbers & Pipefitters Pavilion to secure the 4-0 triumph. His round-tripper was the first walk-off grand slam for the Kernels since May 16, 2013 when Byron Buxton delivered a similar blow against the Burlington Bees.

Jon Olsen and Jordan Gore (4-1) combined for the one-hitter. Olsen’s first shutout start as a professional pitcher included four strikeouts along with just one hit and two walks allowed. Gore tossed two scoreless and hitless frames within a winning effort.

David Leal (0-1) notched a game-high seven strikeouts but ended up with the loss after conceding Maciel’s decisive grand slam.

The nightcap started as a pitchers’ duel between Andrew Cabezas and Seth Shuman. Both pitchers tallied six strikeouts and five shutout innings in their starts for Cedar Rapids and Lansing, respectively.

A two-out error within the sixth inning provided the Kernels with the 1-0 margin of victory. Alex Isola grounded to third base, and a wild throw on a force out attempt at second base helped Spencer Steer score on the play.

Owen Griffith (4-2) retired all six batters that he faced and tied Gore for the team lead in wins. Dalton Sawyer (2-1) was charged as the losing pitcher when one of his bequeathed runners came home while Charles Hall was pitching.

This six-game series between Cedar Rapids and Lansing continues Thursday at 6:35 p.m. with Kernels right-hander Ben Gross (1-0, 3.23) scheduled to face Lugnuts right-hander Richard Guasch (1-2, 2.15). Fans that are unable to attend the contest can follow the tilt with Chris Kleinhans-Schulz on www.kernels.com and MiLB.TV.

A trio of 50-inch big screen televisions will be given away for Big Screen Thursday sponsored by First Federal Credit Union and 104.5 KDAT. Participants must be present to win, and fans aged 18 and older are eligible for a raffle ticket at the First Federal Credit Union table on the concourse.

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.