CLINTON - Despite scoring first Friday night and out-hitting the LumberKings, the Cedar Rapids Kernels fell to Clinton, 4-1, in the series opener before 2,012 fans at Ashford University Field.

Cedar Rapids (40-28) struck first with a two-out run in the top of the third. Rafael Valera got the inning started with a one-out walk. Edgar Corcino followed with a single to center, giving the Kernels runners on first and second.

Two batters later, Zack Larson put the Kernels up 1-0 with an RBI single to center, bringing in Valera from second. The RBI for Larson was his team-leading 35th.

Clinton (25-42) countered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth, going in front 2-1. Arby Fields drew a leadoff walk to start the inning before Wayne Taylor gave the LumberKings their first hit with a single through the right side.

Two batters later, Estarlyn Morales reached on a fielder's choice, but a Kernels throwing error on the double play attempt allowed Fields to score from second.

Morales swiped second, his team-leading 12th of the year. Chantz Mack drove in Morales with an RBI single to center.

The LumberKings extended their lead to 4-1 with two more runs in the seventh. Morales led off the inning with a single to left and advanced to second after Mack got hit with a pitch on the hand.

Joe DeCarlo followed with a bunt single, loading the bases full of LumberKings. Taylor Zeutenhorst brought in the first run of the inning with an RBI single to center, plating Morales from third. Martin Peguero extended the Clinton lead with a sacrifice fly to center.

Zack Tillery (4-2) suffered the loss for the Kernels. The right-hander allowed two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out five in five innings.

Jose Velez allowed two runs on four hits while striking out a pair in two innings of relief. Luke Bard yielded one walk and struck out one in a scoreless inning of relief.

Zach Littell (2-1) earned the win for the LumberKings. The right-hander allowed just one run on six hits and three walks while striking out three in seven innings.

Nick Kiel earned the save with two scoreless innings. The southpaw allowed two hits and struck out one in his 21st appearance of the year.

Brett Doe led the Kernels with two hits.

The Kernels conclude the first half of the Midwest League season with two more games in Clinton. First pitch in Game 2 of the series is at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Sam Gibbons (1-1, 4.50) gets the start for Cedar Rapids.

KERNELS (1): Corcino, cf, 4 0 1 0, Gordon, ss, 4 0 0 0, Larson, lf, 4 0 1 1, Real, dh, 3 0 1 0, Doe, 1b, 3 0 2 0, Murphy, rf, 4 0 1 0, White, 3b, 4 0 1 0, Navarreto, c, 4 0 0 0, Valera, 2b, 2 1 1 0. Totals 32 1 8 1.

CLINTON (4): Fields, cf, 2 1 0 0, Taylor, c, 4 0 1 0, Mariscal, dh, 3 0 0 0, Morales, rf, 4 2 1 0, Mack, lf, 2 1 1 1, DeCarlo, 3b, 3 0 1 0, Zeutenhorst, 1b, 3 0 2 1, Peguero, 2b, 1 0 0 0, Wawoe, ss, 3 0 1 0. Totals 25 4 7 3.

Kernels     001 000 000 - 1 8 1

Clinton     000 200 20x - 4 7 1

Tillery, Velez (6), Bard (8) and Navarreto. Littell, Kiel (8) and Taylor. W - Littell (2-1). L - Tillery (4-2). S - Kiel (1). 2B - Zeutenhorst (5). SB - Morales (12). E - Gordon (10), Littell (1). T - 2:22. A - 2,012.