Winder Wins 6-2 Decision at Beloit

BELOIT, WIS. - Josh Winder led the Cedar Rapids Kernels to a 6-2 win Saturday night against the Beloit Snappers at Pohlman Field. Winder (4-1) earned his team-high fourth quality start, and Cedar Rapids improved to 28-27 for its first winning record of the 2019 season. The Kernels also clinched a series victory and set up a chance for a sweep Sunday afternoon.
Winder posted a game-high four strikeouts over six-plus innings and only conceded two runs including just one earned run in the victory. He has recorded at least five innings of work in all nine of his starts this year. His four wins tie fellow starter Austin Schulfer and former teammate Blayne Enlow for the team lead.

Moises Gomez and Alex Schick combined for scoreless relief to secure the 6-2 triumph. Gomez did not allow any runs or hits in two innings and received credit for a hold. Schick surrendered a leadoff walk but no other damage in the final frame.
Andrew Bechtold added to his stellar on-base streak while helping Cedar Rapids to a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Bechtold hit a two-out double to reach safely for a 22nd consecutive outing. He scored two pitches later on Gabriel Maciel's RBI single.
Beloit (19-34) tallied a run during the third to tie the game, 1-1. Ryan Gridley led off with a triple and came home during a double from Cobie Vance.
Gabe Snyder put the Kernels ahead for good within the fourth inning. Snyder's two-out, two-strike doubled cleared the bases by driving in Wander Javier, Chris Williams, and Bechtold. The Snappers answered in its half of the fourth with JJ Schwarz's sacrifice fly closing the gap to 4-2.
Insurance runs in the sixth and eighth innings produced a 6-2 Cedar Rapids advantage. A bunt single from Maciel coupled with an error allowed Bechtold to score from first base during the sixth. Jacob Pearson, who was playing on his 21st birthday, collected an eighth-inning RBI double.
Reid Birlingmair (2-1) suffered his first loss of his professional career against the Kernels. Birlingmair allowed four runs over five innings pitched.
This three-game series closes Sunday afternoon with Cedar Rapids right-hander Andrew Cabezas (1-4, 5.11) scheduled to face Beloit right-hander Bryce Conley (1-3, 3.58). First pitch will be at 2:00 p.m., and Chris Kleinhans-Schulz will call Sunday's series finale on 1450 KMRY AM and 93.1 KMRY and also online at www.kmryradio.com and www.kernels.com.
The final Kernels homestand in the first half of the 2019 season begins June 11 and runs through June 16. 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.