Wells, Palacios Highlight 7-2 Kernels Win

CLINTON, IOWA - A nearly perfect start by Tyler Wells and a great night at the plate from Jermaine Palacios led the Cedar Rapids Kernels to a 7-2 win Tuesday against the Clinton LumberKings at Ashford University Field. Wells fanned seven batters in six shutout innings while Palacios scored three runs, drove in two runs, and finished a double shy of hitting for the cycle.
Wells (3-0) earned the victory and faced just one batter over the minimum within a quality start. The only hits that he allowed were a single by Nick Zammarelli III in the third inning and a single in the fourth by Anthony Jimenez, who was caught stealing to end the inning. Wells struck out the side during the fifth and also tallied multiple strikeouts in each of the first two frames.

Palacios finished 3-for-5 after collecting three straight hits to open his performance. He hit a first-inning single scored the game's first run after a single from Jaylin Davis. Palacios recorded an RBI triple in the fourth and came home via another RBI single by Davis. Palacios led off the fifth inning with a solo home run, his eighth round-tripper of the season. He later flied out and grounded out in his attempt to complete the cycle.
Hank Morrison doubled and scored on a wild pitch during the fourth inning, and the Kernels (34-24) added two more runs in the eighth. Caleb Hamilton produced an RBI double that plated Davis, and he also scored a run after a wild pitch.
Jimenez drove in both runs for Clinton (22-33) in its 7-2 defeat. Joe Rizzo drew a one-out walk in the seventh before Jimenez doubled to drive him in. During the bottom of the ninth, Jimenez grounded into a fielder's choice that allowed Luis Rengifo to come home.
LumberKings starting pitcher Nick Wells (1-6) took the loss Tuesday. He yielded five runs over six innings pitched while adding a team-high five strikeouts. He also went 0-for-2 with two strikeouts in his first professional plate appearances. Clinton lost the use of the designated hitter when Nick Thurman replaced Yojhan Quevedo at catcher in the opening stanza.
This three-game series continues Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. with Kernels right-hander Sean Poppen (4-1, 2.12) scheduled to start against LumberKings southpaw Danny Garcia (5-4, 5.08). Listen to the action on 1450 KMRY AM and 93.1 KMRY FM and also online at www.kmryradio.com and www.kernels.com.
Cedar Rapids' next homestand runs from Friday, June 9 through Monday, June 12. 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.