Gonsalves sharp again as Kernels sweep Wisconsin

APPLETON, Wis. - Stephen Gonsalves continued his brilliant starting pitching run to begin the Midwest League season, giving up just an infield single and striking out 11 in seven innings to help the Cedar Rapids Kernels sweep Wisconsin, 3-0, Thursday afternoon.

Gonsalves (2-0) lowered his earned run average to 0.90. In three starts, the left-hander has given up just 11 hits and two walks in 20 innings, striking out 30.

Trevor Hildenberger threw two scoreless relief innings to notch his first save.

The Kernels (11-4) have won four straight and return home for a three-game series against Kane County that begins Friday night at 6:35. Minnesota Twins pitcher Ricky Nolasco will start Sunday's 2:05 p.m. game on an injury rehabilitation assignment.

Cedar Rapids scored a pair of runs in the sixth inning. Jonatan Hinojosa and Zack Granite reached leading off on infield and bunt singles, respectively, then stole third and second bases, respectively.

Max Murphy's sacrifice fly to right scored Hinojosa and moved Granite to third. Trey Vavra then struck out on a pitch in the dirt, but Granite came home on the throw to first base.

The Kernels added an insurance run in the eighth on a Vavra RBI single.