Kranson, Carlini Boost Kernels to 7-3 Triumph

BOWLING GREEN, KY. - Mitchell Kranson posted a career-high-tying four hits and added two runs batted in and a run scored during a 7-3 Cedar Rapids Kernels win Friday over the Bowling Green Hot Rods at Bowling Green Ballpark. Domenick Carlini IV earned his first victory since his professional debut in 2016, and Cedar Rapids tied this three-game series at one win each.
The Kernels (19-15) tagged Hot Rods starting pitcher Peter Bayer for two quick runs in the first inning. Jermaine Palacios and Travis Blankenhorn opened the game with back-to-back singles, and both runners scored when Jaylin Davis hit an RBI double. It marked the first time in Bayer's career that he allowed multiple runs in a game.

Cedar Rapids stretched its lead to 4-0 during the top of the third. Kranson delivered an RBI single that plated Lewin Diaz, and Davis scored after a wild pitch later in the inning. Bayer (0-1) gave up a career-high four runs and seven hits over 2.2 innings pitched while taking his first loss of the season.
Carlini retired the first eight batters that he faced before Bowling Green (16-17) broke through in the bottom of the third. Josh Lowe hit a two-out double and scored on an RBI single from Robbie Tenerowicz to cut the Hot Rods' deficit to 4-1.
Over the next two innings, the Kernels strengthened their lead. Blankenhorn singled to drive in Christian Cavaness during the fourth inning. In the fifth, Kranson doubled and came home during a Shane Carrier double for a 6-1 Kernels advantage.
The Hot Rods answered with two runs in the bottom of the fifth, trimming the difference to 6-3. Tenerowicz was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to force in Miles Mastrobuoni. Jesus Sanchez followed with an RBI groundout that brought in Jonah Heim. Carlini escaped the inning with no further damage, allowing three total runs over five innings of work. He improved to 1-2 with the win, which was his first since a 5-1 win June 25, 2016 with the Elizabethton Twins in his first professional start.
Kranson finished his four-hit performance with a ninth-inning RBI double to give Cedar Rapids a 7-3 edge. Diaz led off the final frame with a single and scored from second base on Kranson's double.
Kernels relievers Alex Robinson and Tom Hackimer each tossed two scoreless innings of relief to secure Cedar Rapids' win. Robinson was credited with his team-high fourth hold, and Hackimer picked up his team-high fourth save.
The rubber game of this three-game series will be played at 6:35 p.m. Saturday. Kernels right-hander Clark Beeker (4-1, 1.65) gets the start against Hot Rods right-hander Adrian Navas (2-4, 5.53). Tune in to Chris Kleinhans-Schulz on 1450 KMRY AM and 93.1 KMRY FM and also online at www.kmryradio.com and www.kernels.com.
The next Kernels homestand begins May 15 with a doubleheader at 5:30 p.m. against the Peoria Chiefs. Fans can purchase tickets for all 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 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.