Base running blunders cost Kernels, 3-2
August 7, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1) - Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release
August 7, 2006 - The Cedar Rapids Kernels had six runners either picked off or thrown out trying to steal a base in a 3-2 loss to Lansing on Monday night at Veterans Memorial Stadium. The Kernels were also charged with three errors and struck out nine times as they fell to 19-25 in the second half of the MWL season.
Kernels starter Amalio Diaz scattered four hits over five innings of work and struck out five Lugnuts. His only run was a solo home run by Brian Pettway to dead center field in the fourth inning. Daniel Hawkins (0-2) walked two in two innings of work and gave up an unearned run in sixth to be saddled with the loss.
The Kernels scored a run in the third without the benefit of a hit as Brad Coon walked and stole second base. The ball got away from Jesus Gonzalez and rolled into shallow right field with Coon heading for third. Kernels manager Bobby Magallanes was sending Coon home all the way as right fielder Brian Pettway bobbled the ball in right. His throw was right on the money to catcher Josh Bell, but Coon slid in safely to give the Kernels a 1-0 lead.
Lansing added their third run in the top of the sixth on a rather bizarre play. With Luke Hetherington at second, David Hicks sliced a sinking line drive into center that Coon made a great diving catch on. Coon dropped the ball while trying to get up and make a throw to third as Hetherington chugged home from second. The Kernels appealed that Hetherington left second early, but the appeal was denied and Coon was charged with an error.
Lansing made the score 3-1 in the eighth on a very conventional sac fly by Joey Metropolous to bring home Hetherington from third.
The Kernels closed the gap to 3-2 in the bottom of the eighth as Josh Davies singled and moved to second on a wild pitch. Stantrel Smith looped a soft liner into left field to score Davies from second. Unfortunately, Smith slipped and fell trying to steal second with Coon at the plate and was thrown out. Brad grounded out to the pitcher to end the Kernels rally.
Lansing starter Chi-Hung Cheng (9-5) held the Kernels to two hits and an unearned run over five innings while walking three and striking out seven to get the win. Edward Rodriguez retired the Kernels in order in the ninth for his fourth save.
The Kernels will look to salvage a series split on Tuesday at high noon as Robert Mosebach (8-6) starts for Cedar Rapids against lefty A.J. Wideman (1-3) for the Lugnuts.
It's the final noon game of the season on Tuesday and you can enjoy a Triple Play Lunch Combo Special sponsored by 104.5 KDAT. Get a regular sandwich, chips or popcorn and a beverage for only five bucks. The gates open at 11 am, so play hooky from work one more time and see the Lugnuts and Kernels at noon!
• Discuss this story on the Midwest League message board...
Midwest League Stories from August 7, 2006
- Base running blunders cost Kernels, 3-2 - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Lisson blasts two homers to lead offensive explosion for Bees - Burlington Bees
- Swing fall short in ninth-inning rally - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Snappers squeak by Wisconsin - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Cougars roll over rival - Peoria Chiefs
- The Devil Rays get uptoned - Southwest Michigan Devil Rays
- Dragons stung by Bees, 9-0 - Dayton Dragons
- Late inning rally pays off for Wizards - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Former Hawks Traded - South Bend Silver Hawks
- Final Noon game of the season Tomorrow - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Campbell sent down to Eugene - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Rhyne Hughes to Disabled List - Southwest Michigan Devil Rays
- Kroger Baseball Buddy Plays Ball with Dragons` - Dayton Dragons
- Dragons Get Wood Back On the Mound - Dayton Dragons
- ML Motorsports Coming To Wizards Game August 14 - Fort Wayne TinCaps
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Cedar Rapids Kernels Stories
- Champions Cedar Rapids Clinches First Midwest League Title Since 1994 with 7-6 Over Great Lakes
- Dinkelman, Rosario Highlight Kernels Honored in Midwest League Postseason Awards
- Game Two of the Midwest League Championship Series Suspended in Bottom of the Fifth Inning, Great Lakes Leads 1-0
- Cedar Rapids Rallies to Score Five Times in the Ninth Inning, Tops Great Lakes in Game One of the Championship Series 10-6
- Best in the West Kernels Top Peoria 9-3 to Advance to Midwest League Championship Series