Published: April 22, 2009 09:34 am      

Kernels strike early, beat LumberKings

CEDAR RAPIDS — Clinton manager Scott Steinmann saw a rare sight Tuesday night as the Clinton LumberKings started a four-game baseball road series: One of his starting pitchers was roughed up.

Cedar Rapids scored six runs off Kenn Kasparek in 31⁄3 innings, and the Kernels defeated the LumberKings 6-3 at Perfect Game Field. It was just the third loss for Clinton in 10 games, although it did put the LumberKings a half-game behind Kane County at the top of the Midwest League’s Western Division standings. All three losses have come against Cedar Rapids.

Kasparek (0-2) issued a pair of two-out walks in the third inning before Gabe Jacobo ripped a 2-1 pitch over the head of Denny Almonte in center field for a triple that gave Cedar Rapids a 2-0 lead.

The LumberKings tied it a half inning later as Ogui Diaz and Kalian Sams delivered RBI doubles each, but Kasparek got into more trouble in the bottom of the fourth.

Matt Crawford and Anel De Los Santos both singled, and Darwin Perez put the Kernels back on top with a run-scoring, drag-bunt single up the first-base line. Tyson Auer singled home another run, and Alexi Amarista slashed the two-run double into the left-field corner off reliever Walter Suriel, making it a 6-2 game.

Clinton relievers held Cedar Rapids in check after that, but the damage was done, and the LumberKings could manage just one more run. Kernels starter Michael Davitt (1-0) worked into the sixth inning, allowing an RBI single to Mario Martinez before giving way to the bullpen. Relievers Kevin Nabors and Vladimir Veras retired nine of the 10 batters they faced over the final three innings.

Nate Tenbrink paced the Clinton offense with a 2-for-4 night, including his third RBI. Scott Savastano saw his hitting streak end at six games, going 0-for-4.

The two teams continue their series with a 6:35 p.m. game today in Cedar Rapids.