Streaks Continue for Steer, Javier Friday

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - Spencer Steer and Wander Javier each extended significant hit streaks Friday for the Cedar Rapids Kernels, but the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers picked up a 10-5 victory in front of 3,187 fans at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Cedar Rapids (19-14, 58-45) still claimed a 2-1 series win over Wisconsin (19-14, 50-52).
Steer secured a personal-best 10-game hit streak while Javier has hit safely in five consecutive appearances. Steer produced a leadoff single in the first inning and is now batting .410 during the longest hit streak of his professional career. Javier collected a fifth-inning double and a ninth-inning triple to improve to .333 in this five-game stretch.

Wisconsin jumped ahead, 3-0, within the top of the first. Connor McVey's double started the game, and he scored on a two-out single from Thomas Dillard. Brent Diaz singled to extend the inning before Chad McClanahan hit a two-run double.
Home runs lifted the Timber Rattlers to a 6-0 lead during the third inning. David Fry notched his 13th home run with a one-out solo shot. Following a walk and a fly out, McClanahan added a two-out, two-run blast for his second round-tripper of the year.
The Kernels tallied their first run in the fifth. Javier doubled to open the inning and advanced to third base on Alex Isola's fly out. Albee Weiss singled and brought in Javier to trim the deficit to 6-1.
An eighth-inning barrage put Wisconsin's lead at 10-1. Yeison Coca launched a one-out solo smash for his sixth homer. Fry and Dillard went back to back later in the inning and capped the scoring in Friday's series finale. Fry's two-run no-doubter was his team-high 14th blast, and Dillard's solo home run on the next pitch was his first Midwest League clout.
Five consecutive Kernels reached safely to begin a ninth-inning rally, but Cedar Rapids still lost the contest, 10-5. A walk for Steer and a double from Gilberto Celestino started the frame. Gabe Snyder drove in both runners with a double prior to scoring on Javier's RBI triple. Near the end of the inning, Javier came home during Ricky De La Torre's two-out RBI single.
Scott Sunitsch (8-10) became the second pitcher in the Midwest League to reach the eight-win threshold this season. Sunitsch allowed only one run in six frames and earned the quality start and the victory.
Andrew Cabezas (4-6) was tagged for the loss Friday. He conceded a career-high-tying six runs and seven hits over three innings.
Cedar Rapids will host the Clinton LumberKings for the next three days to wrap up this six-game Kernels homestand. Saturday's series opener is scheduled for 6:35 p.m., and the probable pitchers are Kernels right-hander Kai-Wei Teng (3-0, 1.85) and LumberKings right-hander Josh Roberson (1-0, 2.45). Broadcast coverage with Chris Kleinhans-Schulz 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.
Postgame fireworks, ADA Night, and magician Colin Otto highlight Saturday's Kernels festivities. Mediacom MC22 will cover the game and broadcast on a tape-delayed basis. Plus, the Perfect Game Cares Inaugural Celebrity Softball Game will take place at Noon. Gates open at 11:00 a.m. with tickets available at https://bit.ly/32QMpAV via the Perfect Game Cares Foundation.
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.