Kernels Recap & Clinton Series Preview

Tonight is the Home Opener! The Kernels open up the home portion of the schedule with a seven game home stand, starting tonight at 6:35 vs. the Clinton LumberKings.

The Kernels took two of three from the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers on the road to begin the season.

The Kernels won the opener on Thursday, 7-2. Austin Wood was dominant on the hill, going five innings and allowing one run while striking out 10. Lay Batista pitched the final four innings for the save, allowing one run on two hits. Kaleb Cowart went 4-5 at the plate with a triple and a double.

On Friday night the Kernels scored a run in the ninth inning to edge Wisconsin 3-2. Michael Clevinger was strong on the mound, going six innings and allowing one run on four hits in a no decision. Kevin Moesquit's RBI sacrifice fly scored pinch runner Andy Workman to give the Kernels the lead in the 9th inning. Ty Kelley pitched two innings in relief for the win. Cowart followed up his opening night performance with two hits, including a double.

The Kernels dropped a tough one on Saturday afternoon, 7-6. It was a back and forth ballgame all afternoon long. The Kernels put up a three spot in the top of the 9th inning, but Wisconsin won it with four runs on their own in the bottom of the 9th inning. Logan Odom took the loss in relief for the Kernels, going 1.1 innings and allowing four runs on two hits while walking three. Trevor Hairgrove paced the offense for Cedar Rapids, going 3-4 with a home run and a double.

PITCHING PROBABLES VS. CLINTON:

Cedar Rapids Kernels (2-1)

Clinton LumberKings (1-2)

Monday at 6:35:

CR: RHP Jairo Diaz (1st start)

CLI: RHP Trevor Miller (1st start)

Tuesday at 6:35:

CR: LHP Michael Johnson (1st start)

CLI: LHP Cameron Hobson (1st start)

Wednesday at 6:35:

CR: RHP Austin Wood (1-0, 1.80)

CLI: RHP Ambioris Hidalgo (0-0, 1.80)

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Kaleb Cowart, 3B, Kernels: Ranked as #6 prospect in Angels organization by “Baseball America”

1st round pick in 2010 (18th overall)

Hitting .462 (6-13) going into series

Austin Wood, SP, Kernels: Will start on Wednesday night

Ranked as #24 prospect in Angels organization by “Baseball America”

Struck out 10 over five innings in MWL debut last Thursday

Guillermo Pimentel, OF, LumberKings: Ranked as #12 prospect in Mariners organization by “Baseball America”

Jabari Blash, OF, LumberKings: Ranked as #20 prospect in Mariners organization by “Baseball America”

By: Morgan Hawk, Kernels radio broadcaster