Snyder's Double Drives Kernels to 4-2 Win

BELOIT, WIS. - A two-out, two-run double by Gabe Snyder broke a ninth-inning tie and led the Cedar Rapids Kernels to a 4-2 victory Thursday against the Beloit Snappers at Pohlman Field. Cedar Rapids (21-17, 61-48) scored four unanswered runs and rallied from an early deficit to earn the win.
The Snappers (15-24, 42-65) quickly jumped ahead, 2-0, in the first inning. A throwing error allowed Max Schuemann to come home from third base for the first run. On the next pitch, Nick Osborne doubled to bring in Devin Foyle.

Daniel Ozoria tied the contest at 2-2 within the third. Tyler Webb led off with a single and later returned to first base safely during a rundown after being picked off while Ozoria was at the plate. The count moved to 3-2 before Ozoria lifted a two-run home run to right field. The game-tying blast was the first homer of his professional career  
Thursday's tilt remained deadlocked due in part to quality starts from Luis Rijo and Aiden McIntyre. Both pitchers yielded just two runs over six innings apiece. Rijo retired 17 of his final 18 batters faced after giving up Osborne's double. McIntyre escaped multiple jams in the longest start of his career to earn his first quality start.
Snyder played a pivotal role in the decisive ninth inning. Webb reached on a leadoff strikeout coupled with a wild pitch. Ricky De La Torre drew a walk, and Ozoria moved both runners up via sacrifice bunt. Webb was thrown out at home plate on a fielder's choice off the bat of Spencer Steer before Gilberto Celestino walked to load the bases for Snyder. He doubled down the first-base line and drove in De La Torre and Steer for a 4-2 Kernels lead
Alex Schick (4-1) and Rickey Ramirez coupled for three scoreless innings of relief to record the win and the save, respectively. Schick struck out four batters in succession as part of his victorious appearance. Ramirez posted a 1-2-3 ninth inning and garnered his fourth save in as many chances.
Charlie Cerny (2-3) suffered the loss Thursday. Cerny nearly danced out of danger in the ninth but allowed two runs to score on one crucial hit.
Pohlman Field hosts the series finale at 6:30 p.m. Friday evening, and Cedar Rapids leads this four-game set by a 2-1 margin. Broadcast coverage will be available on 1450 KMRY AM and 93.1 KMRY FM and also online at www.kmryradio.com and www.kernels.com.
Cedar Rapids will play 14 home games in August beginning Saturday, August 3. 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.