DAVENPORT — The Cedar Rapids Kernels walked their way to a 4-2 win Sunday afternoon over the Quad Cities River Bandits in Midwest League baseball at Modern Woodmen Park.
The Kernels drew five bases on balls in a two-run seventh inning for the winning margin, splitting the four-game series. They have Monday off, then begin a six-game homestand Tuesday night by hosting the South Bend Cubs.
Ben Rodriguez, Ben Rortvedt and Shane Carrier walked to load the bases against Quad Cities relief pitcher Colin McKee with one out in the seventh. After a strikeout, McKee walked Jordan Gore to score Rodriguez for a 3-2 C.R. lead.
Adam Bleday relieved McKee but walked Jean Carlos Arias to bring home another Kernels run. Cedar Rapids drew 12 free passes in the game.
Gore also had a run-scoring hit for the Kernels, with Trey Cabbage adding a solo home run. Derek Molina (1-0) threw three innings of shutout relief for the win, with Moises Gomez getting the save with two shutout relief innings.
He was re-added to the Kernels active roster before Sunday’s game from extended spring training, replacing pitcher Melvi Acosta, who went back to EST. In a paper move, Gomez was sent to extended before Saturday afternoon’s double-header, with Acosta (who started Game 2) being added.
The Kernels and parent Minnesota Twins have made pitching moves four consecutive days.