Kernels Win Another Close Contest

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – In another low-scoring game at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium, the Cedar Rapids Kernels defeated the Beloit Snappers, 2-1, Friday evening. This was the fourth one-run contest in as many nights in a six-game homestand for Cedar Rapids (39-31).

A rare play in the third inning allowed Beloit (30-40) to take a 1-0 lead. Ricky Aracena was at second base following a one-out double, and he scored from second on Connor Scott’s sacrifice fly.

The Kernels quickly answered during the home half of the third. A streak of three consecutive one-out hits ended with Alex Isola’s go-ahead single. Kyle Schmidt and Edouard Julien were driven in by Isola for a 2-1 Cedar Rapids advantage that held up through the end of the game.

Tyler Watson (2-0) secured the victory after tossing five-plus innings. He also pushed his team-high scoreless inning streak to 17.1 innings prior to giving up the sacrifice fly within the third.

Four scoreless frames of relief between Tyler Palm and Derek Molina closed the 2-1 victory. Palm received credit for his first hold of the season before Molina notched his first save since July 6, 2019 in a game with the Advanced A Fort Myers Miracle.

Antonio Velez (3-2) set new career highs with eight strikeouts and seven innings but was tagged for the loss. Five Beloit tilts in a row and eight of its last 11 games overall have been decided by a single run.

The penultimate tilt of this six-game Kernels homestand is slated for 6:35 p.m. Saturday. Cedar Rapids right-hander Ben Gross (4-0, 2.65) will square off against Beloit right-hander Bryan Hoeing (3-6, 6.82). Chris Kleinhans-Schulz will call the action on www.kernels.com and MiLB.TV.

Postgame fireworks presented by Fleet Farm will follow Saturday’s contest between the Kernels and the Snappers. BankIowa koozies will be given away to the first 500 fans through the gates Saturday, and one will include a raffle ticket for a $100 cash prize.

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.