Top-draft pick Alex Kirilloff homers twice to help Cedar Rapids Kernels past Peoria and to 5-0 start

PEORIA, Ill. — The Cedar Rapids Kernels hit four home runs, including a pair from Alex Kirilloff to drop Peoria, 12-9, Wednesday night in Midwest League baseball at Dozer Park.

Cedar Rapids has gotten off to a 5-0 start to the season, with Toby Gardenhire the first person in the Kernels era (1993 to now) to win his first five games as a manager.

The teams conclude their four-game series Thursday.

Kirilloff, the parent Minnesota Twins' top draft pick in 2016, hit a two-run home run in the top of the first inning to open the scoring in this game. He followed with a three-run shot in the third to put his team on top, 6-5.

David Banuelos and Ben Rodriguez also homered for the Kernels, who finished with 14 hits. Kirilloff finished 3-for-5 in the game with six RBIs, with Rodriguez going 3-for-5 with two runs and two RBIs.

Reliever Calvin Faucher (1-0) picked up the pitching victory, coming in for starter Randy Dobrak in the fourth inning and posting 2 1/3 shutout innings. Ryan Mason picked up his second save of the season by throwing the final three innings.

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