Molina Mows Down Lugnuts in 8-5 Triumph

LANSING, MICH. - Derek Molina struck out five consecutive batters and retired 10 of 11 batters faced in relief while helping the Cedar Rapids Kernels secure an 8-5 win Sunday against the Lansing Lugnuts at Cooley Law School Stadium. Michael Davis' career-high four hits led the offense as the Kernels (22-8, 54-45) collected their season-high-tying sixth consecutive victory.
Molina (2-0) came in at a pivotal moment in the second inning. He replaced Jordan Balazovic and inherited a 5-4 lead along with a runner at third base. Molina induced a fly out from Kevin Vicuña to end the frame, and he only gave up one walk over 3.1 scoreless and hitless innings pitched. He also struck out five hitters in succession over the third and fourth innings for his second-longest strikeout streak of the season.

Cedar Rapids tallied the first five runs Sunday and took a quick 5-0 lead. Akil Baddoo scored on a wild pitch during the first inning, and Robby Rinn delivered an RBI single later in the frame. Jose Miranda hit a three-run home run in the top of the second. Miranda's round-tripper was his active-team-high 11th blast this year.
The Lugnuts (13-17, 56-44) answered with a four-run rally within the second before Molina's arrival. Reilly Johnson produced a two-out, two-run single that put Lansing on the scoreboard. Samad Taylor followed with a two-run triple to trim Cedar Rapids' lead to 5-4.
Insurance runs gave Cedar Rapids an 8-4 lead through the top of the eighth. Davis scored on Ben Rodriguez's RBI single in the fourth. David Bañuelos collected an RBI single within the top of the fifth that plated Andrew Bechtold. Rinn added the latest run-scoring single during the eighth to bring in Miranda.
Ryan Gold hit a solo home run in the eighth for the Lugnuts, but Cedar Rapids protected the 8-5 advantage for the remainder of the contest. Calvin Faucher earned his team-best third hold for limiting Lansing to one run in three innings. Jose Martinez worked around a pair of singles during the ninth and recorded his fourth save to tie Jovani Moran for the team high.
Matt Gunter (2-4) was the losing pitcher of Sunday's matinee after giving up five runs including four earned runs over three innings pitched. Lansing suffered its ninth consecutive loss and fell to a 2-0 deficit in this three-game series with Cedar Rapids.
The finale of this Kernels road trip will begin Monday at 12:05 p.m. ET (11:05 a.m. CT). Cedar Rapids right-hander Randy Dobnak (7-2, 3.66) is scheduled to pitch against Lugnuts left-hander Jordan Barrett (0-1, 7.88). Online coverage with Chris Kleinhans-Schulz will be available at www.kmryradio.com and www.kernels.com.
Cedar Rapids' next homestand runs from Wednesday, July 25 through Sunday, July 29. During the homestand, the Kernels will partner with Minor League Baseball and BUSH'S Beans for a food drive to collect non-perishable food donations for HACAP. Fans can purchase tickets for all Cedar Rapids 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.