Sammons Silences Snappers in Series Opener

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - Bryan Sammons tossed a career-high eight scoreless innings and carried the Cedar Rapids Kernels to a 3-0 combined shutout Monday against the Beloit Snappers at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Cedar Rapids (5-0, 37-37) has outscored its opponents by a 30-10 margin within a five-game win streak to start the second half.
Sammons and Wyatt Marks collectively retired the first 16 batters in Monday's series opener. Sammons struck out four hitters in a perfect first round through Beloit's batting order. Marks began his start with back-to-back strikeouts and set down the first seven batters overall.

The Kernels broke through in the third inning to grab a 1-0 lead. David Banuelos lined a double into the left-field corner, and Jordan Gore followed with an RBI single to right field. Gore secured a career-best 15-game on-base streak on the go-ahead hit.
A season-high-tying three double plays turned by Cedar Rapids kept Beloit (3-2, 35-39) from scoring against Sammons. The final double play took away an early baserunner in a pivotal eighth inning. Logan Farrar's two-out single and JaVon Shelby's double extended the frame, but Nick Allen flied out to leave the potential game-tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position.
Two tallies during the bottom of the eighth stretched the Kernels' advantage to 3-0. After back-to-back one-out walks by Jacob Pearson and Royce Lewis, Jose Miranda doubled to bring in Pearson. Consecutive walks later in the inning from Robby Rinn and Andrew Bechtold forced in Lewis for the final run.
Calvin Faucher completed the 3-0 shutout by pitching a scoreless ninth inning. He gave up a one-out single to Trace Loehr and a two-out walk to Hunter Hargrove before inducing a game-ending groundout from Jesus Lopez.
Sammons improved to 4-4 with the victory in his team-high sixth quality start. Marks dropped to 3-6 on his fifth losing decision in a row. Faucher notched his second save in as many chances this season.
Game two of this series between Cedar Rapids and Beloit is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. Tuesday. Kernels right-hander Edwar Colina (2-2, 3.68) and Snappers right-hander Bryce Conley (3-2, 4.31) are the probable pitchers. Coverage of Tuesday's tilt will be available on 1450 KMRY AM and 93.1 KMRY FM and also online at www.kmryradio.com, www.kernels.com, and MiLB.TV.
Bark in the Park invites fans to bring a dog to the game with the purchase of a special "doggie" ticket. Proceeds from doggie tickets support Gems Forever Animal Rescue and Critter Crusaders of Cedar Rapids. Great Clips Twins Tuesday features a special 2-for-1 ticket offer available on the Kernels' Facebook page and email newsletter. Cedar Rapids will wear special jerseys that will be auctioned off later this season, and one lucky fan at the game will win a pair of Minnesota Twins tickets.
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.