Kernels rough up Loons’ bullpen in win

Starting pitching continued to dominate at Dow Diamond, and the Cedar Rapids Kernels got clutch hitting late in the ballgame off Great Lakes’ relievers as they defeated the Loons by a score of 8-4.

Francisco Lizarraga opened the scoring in the contest when he belted a two-run home run off Kernels starter Robert Fish to give the Loons the 2-0 lead. The Kernels came back to tie the game with unearned runs in the fifth and seventh innings, following fielding errors by Lizarraga and Lambo.

In the eighth, Kernels first baseman Jay Brossman skipped a two-run single up the middle with the bases loaded against Daigoro Rondon to give Cedar Rapids a 4-2 lead. Tyler Johnson followed with a two-run single of his own to blow things open and give the Kernels a 6-2 advantage.

Cedar Rapids added two more runs in the ninth off Kyle Smit when Hector Estrella lofted a ball into the left-center field gap, allowing two runs to score to make it 8-2 Kernels.

In the ninth, the Loons scored twice but a mistake on the base paths ended the threat. Andrew Lambo drilled an RBI single to right field with two outs, but attempted to advance to second base on the throw and was caught in a rundown in which he was tagged out, ending the ballgame.

Robert Fish started and impressed for the Kernels. His only mistake came on the home run by Lizarraga. Fish pitched six innings striking out a season-high nine before giving way to Tim Kiely in relief. His two scoreless innings earned himself the victory, improving his record to 1-0.

Thomas Melgarejo arguably turned in his best start during the last year and a half the southpaw has been in a Great Lakes Loons’ uniform. Melgarejo pitched six innings allowing one unearned run while striking out four, but left with a no-decision as the bullpen couldn’t hold the lead. Rondon came on to pitch the eighth, allowing four Cedar Rapids runs and picked up the loss, dropping to 4-9 on the season.

The Loons conclude their six-game home stand in the final game of this three-game series against the Cedar Rapids Kernels Monday evening at Dow Diamond. Game time is 7:05 p.m.