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Cedar Rapids Kernels

Hinojosa's Heroics Lift Kernels in Walk-Off Win

August 28, 2014 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release


CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - Jonatan Hinojosa continued his outstanding month of August with more clutch hitting on Wednesday night as the Kernels downed Kane County 3-2 in 11 innings. Hinojosa's walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the 11th inning scored Tanner Vavra for the game-winning run. Hinojosa also cracked his first career home run in the first inning.

With the game tied 2-2 in the 11th inning, Vavra collected a single to left field to get on base with no outs. He advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Wade. Hinojosa's game-winning single came with two outs and rolled into right field. Vavra sprinted home and eluded the tag at the plate, allowing the Kernels to pick up their 10th walk-off win on the season.

Josue Montanez (2-4) pitched a scoreless top of the 11th inning for the victory. Michael Wagner (3-3) took the loss for Kane County, allowing the run in 2/3 of an inning.

Hinojosa has collected a hit in all 14 games since rejoining the team on August 13, matching Alex Swim for the longest hitting streak this season. The left-handed third baseman is now hitting .328 with 15 runs batted in through his 14 games for the Kernels.

Three of the last five games between the Kernels and Cougars have gone into extra innings and six of the last seven games have been decided by one run. The two teams have split the first 16 games played this season. The Kernels and Kane County are both in the playoffs and could meet in the Western Division Championship. On the night the Kernels secured the top spot for the second half playoff qualifiers. Cedar Rapids will meet Burlington in the opening round, hosting the Bees on Wednesday, September 3 at 6:35 p.m.

Kane County took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Jeimer Candelario's RBI double plated Shawon Dunston, Jr.

Hinojosa quickly tied the game 1-1 in the bottom of the first inning with his first career home run. He pulled it over the wall in right-field to lead off the first inning, making the score 1-1. The home run snapped the team's seven-game homerless streak. Their last home run came from Engelb Vielma on August 19 v. Quad Cities. It was also Vielma's first career long ball.

The two starters - Ryan Eades and Kane County's Jen-Ho Tseng - settled in after the first frame. At one point, Eades retired 10 Cougars in a row. In the sixth inning, Mark Zagunis doubled to break the streak. He reached third on a wild pitch as Jeimer Candelario drew a walk. Eades threw an errant pickoff attempt to first base, allowing Zagunis to score and give Kane County a 2-1 advantage.

The Kernels again tied the game in the seventh inning. Against reliever David Garner, Alex Swim singled past third base and reached second base on a wild pitch. Later in the inning, he scored on a second wild pitch by Garver to even the score 2-2.

Both starters recorded no-decisions on the night. Eades went six innings and allowed two runs on four hits while striking out six and walking one. Tseng also went six innings, allowing one run on only two hits while striking out two and walking one.

Brandon Bixler and Jake Reed combined to toss four scoreless innings, allowing one hit combined. Reed increased his scoreless inning streak to 21 2/3 innings, a team-high.

The series v. Kane County continues on Thursday night at 6:35 p.m. It's a Z 109.9 Thirsty Thursday as fans can get 12 oz. regular draft beer and 20 oz. bottled soda and water for just $2.00 all game. It's also Little Caesar's College Night. Show your college ID at the Kernels Ticket Office and receive a club ticket and two slices of pizza for just $7.00.

RHP Chih-Wei Hu (7-1, 1.94) is scheduled to start for the Kernels while LHP Tyler Ihrig (2-1, 2.53) is slated to pitch for Kane County.

Tickets are available at www.kernels.com. You can also visit the Kernels Ticket Office at Veterans Memorial Stadium or call 319-896-7560. Morgan Hawk brings you the action of all Kernels games live on KMRY Radio (93.1 FM/1450 AM) and online at www.kernels.com.

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