'Ugly' performance: Dayton decks Kernels

CEDAR RAPIDS - The Midwest League leaders in runs were on the receiving end Wednesday night at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Cedar Rapids tied a season high by surrendering 18 hits, including a 5-for-5 performance from Dayton's Seth Mejias-Brean, in a 12-6 loss to the Dragons.

“Just a very ugly day all the way around,” Kernels Manager Jake Mauer said.

Cedar Rapids, which has scored 508 runs in 87 games, mustered just five hits and two runs in six innings off Dayton starter Sal Romano (6-7).

After beginning the second half with 11 wins, Cedar Rapids (13-6 second half, 53-34 overall) has dropped six of its last eight games. The loss snapped a seven-game home winning streak.

“It's starting pitching is what it boils down to,” Mauer said.“We need our starters to go more than three, four, five innings.If our starters don't do the job we're in trouble, without a doubt.”

Dayton jumped on starter Christian Powell early, opening with three hard-hit singles and a grand slam from Jesse Winker.It was the 10th home run and 50th RBI for Winker, the No. 6 prospect of the Cincinnati Reds, according to Baseball America.

Powell (2-3) gave up nine hits and six runs in three innings, the first time in seven starts he did not pitch at least five innings.

“He was just up in the zone,” Mauer said.“Ball one, ball two turns their team into a pretty aggressive team, and they were aggressive.”

Kernels first baseman Dalton Hicks drove in two runs with a double and a single to add to his league lead with 81 RBIs.

The club recognized this year's Cedar Rapids Baseball Hall of Fame inductees and hosted a mini-reunion of Ron Hunt, Paul Snyder and Barry Morgan from the 1961 Cedar Rapids Braves.

The teams play Thursday night at 6:35.