Same group of Kernels begin 2nd half same way they ended 1st half

DAVENPORT — The Cedar Rapids Kernels began the Midwest League's second half Thursday night with the same team it ended the first half. With the same result, too.

Starting pitcher Eduardo Del Rosario threw six innings, taking part in a three-pitcher, two-hit, 4-0 shutout over Quad Cities at Modern Woodmen Park.

Lewin Diaz hit a solo home run for the Kernels (40-31 overall), while Ben Rortvedt and Mitchell Kranson had two hits apiece. Cedar Rapids scored single runs in the third, seventh, eighth and ninth innings.

Del Rosario allowed just two hits and a walk, striking out seven to improve his season record to 7-3. Colton Davis threw hitless seventh and eighth innings, and Hector Lujan a hitless ninth.

There has been talk of players, potentially multiple players, being promoted imminently from Cedar Rapids to high-Class A Fort Myers, though the Kernels had the same 25 guys they battered Burlington with in last Sunday's first-half finale, a win that sewed up a MWL playoff spot.

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