Kernels Rally In The Rain Falls Short
May 9, 2005 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release
Cedar Rapids pounded out 11 hits and put together three separate rallies but still could not overcome Burlington on a wet Mother's Day at Veterans Memorial Stadium as the Bees edged the Kernels 10-7.
The Kernels scored three runs in the eighth and another two in the final frame but could not string together enough hits to plate the runs they needed.
A two-run single by Freddy Sandoval put the Kernels on the board in the sixth inning and was the first salvo fired at Burlington's eight run lead. It wouldn't be the last.
After waiting out a 55 minute rain delay in the bottom of the seventh the Kernels again went to work on chipping away Burlington's advantage in the eighth.
Nate Sutton and Drew Toussaint walked and with one out, catcher Ben Johnson stroked a double to right to clear the bags. Johnson moved to third on the throw to the plate and scored moments later when Warner Madrigal ripped an RBI single up the middle. The Kernels continued to threaten as Michael Collins took one for the team â literally â as he was hit by a pitch from the Bees' Yovany Damico. It would be Damico's last pitch of the game as Burlington skipper Jim Gabella brought in southpaw Adam Rowe. After hurling a wild pitch and walking Jordan Renz to load the bases, Rowe collected a strike out and got Sean Rodriguez to line out to the mound to end the inning. Rodriguez's liner would have surely scored two Kernels but Rowe instinctively flicked out his glove hand and the ball snapped in his webbing.
After Burlington gained a run back in the ninth, the Kernels put their final two runs up but couldn't muster more. Sutton began the inning with an opposite field smash to left for a double and Sandoval followed by lining a triple to center. Toussaint grounded out to second to plate Sandoval but Rowe again chalked up two outs, this time ending the game and earning his first save of the year.
The Kernels had the makings of another rally stopped just shy of 4 p.m. in the seventh because of rain. Madrigal had started the inning with a double to center and there was just one out on the board when the rains came. After a 55 minute stoppage, Damico walked Renz before notching a strikeout and getting Rodriguez to line out to short.
Sandoval, playing for the first time in four days after aggravating his shoulder making a diving play against Beloit earlier in the week, was 3-for-5 at the plate with 3 RBI. He roped a two-out single to center in his first at bat of the day before adding his RBI single and triple later in the game.
The top three hitters in the Kernels order â Rodriguez, Sutton, and Sandoval â accounted for 7 of the team's 11 hits and 4 of the 7 runs.
Burlington starter Patrick Green tossed six innings and allowed six hits and two runs to get his first win of the year. Kernel starter Jesse Smith was tagged with the loss after going 4 1/3 and allowing eight runs (seven earned), nine hits, and four walks to go with a lone strike out.
Lefty Nic Touchstone returned to action for the Kernels, relieving Franciso Cordova to start the eighth following the rain delay. Touchstone, who had been bothered by a bout of tendonitis, allowed one run in his one inning of work. He's expected to return to the Cedar Rapids rotation soon.
Burlington scored two runs in the first and added a single run in the third before a costly five-run fifth off Smith padded their lead for good.
Nearly 400 people enjoyed a Mother's Day Brunch served in the pre-game picnic area prior to Sunday's game. The brunch was a first for the Kernels and met with rave reviews from attendees. The Kernels also handed out carnations to women as they entered the gates.
The same two teams close out their four game set tomorrow with a 6:30 contest. It will be the final home game for Cedar Rapids before the Kernels hit the road for an eight-game trip to Dayton and the Quad Cities with a day off scheduled for Tuesday as well. Monday night will be Grant Wood Elementary Night as part of the Mix 96.5 School Spirit Nights at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
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