Kernels win again at Clinton

CLINTON - The Cedar Rapids Kernels built a big lead and held on to defeat the Clinton LumberKings, 7-6, Saturday afternoon at Ashford University Field.

It's the second win in a row for the Kernels (11-10), who conclude their three-game series and seven-game road trip Sunday afternoon at 2:05.

Zack Larson went 4-for-5, including a two-run double to help Cedar Rapids to a 7-2 lead. Tanner Vavra added three hits.

Clinton (9-11) scored four times in the bottom of the eighth inning to make it a one-run game, but Hudson Boyd pitched two scoreless innings to save the game for starter Felix Jorge (2-1).

It's Boyd's third save.

Before the game, the Kernels announced a pair of roster additions in outfielder Ivory Thomas and pitcher Todd Van Steensel. They join the club from Minnesota Twins extended spring training.

Thomas, who started Saturday, was a 34th-round draft pick last year out of cal State-Dominguez Hills. He hit .255 last season for the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Twins.

Van Steensel, 23, is a right-hander who was signed in the offseason as a free agent. The Australian has had previous minor league stints with the Twins and Philadelphia Phillies.

Also Saturday, Major League Baseball announced Kernels infielder Jonatan Hinojosa has been suspended for 50 games for testing positive for Nandrolone, a performance enhancing drug.

Hinojosa was recalled this past Monday from extended spring training and played one game, going 0-for-3. He is the third current or former Kernel in the last year to test positive for a PED (catcher Michael Quesada, relief pitcher Dallas Gallant).