Kernels Come Back, Walk-Off Lugnuts, 6-5
May 25, 2009 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Lansing Lugnuts News Release
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA - Adam Younger lined a two-run walk-off double off the left field wall with none out in the bottom of the ninth, completing the Cedar Rapids Kernels' (24-20) 6-5 comeback victory over the Lansing Lugnuts (14-28) on Memorial Day at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
The finish marked the first blown save of the season for Lansing closer Matt Daly (1-3), who had walked a pair of batters to start the frame. Angel Castillo dropped down a bunt for Cedar Rapids, but first baseman Mike McDade fired too late to third base for the force play. That brought up Younger with the bases loaded, and the 23-year-old shortstop drove the second pitch he saw from Daly over the head of left fielder Brian Van Kirk to end the ballgame.
A four-run sixth inning rally had given the Lugnuts a 5-0 lead, but the Kernels scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth, one in the seventh, and a pair on Younger's double in the ninth to achieve a three-game sweep of Lansing.
Vladimir Veras (2-1) earned the victory for Cedar Rapids with 1 2/3 perfect innings of work out of the bullpen.
The Lugnuts ended their six-game Iowa road-trip to Clinton and Cedar Rapids with a 2-4 record.
Lansing starter Chuck Huggins struck out nine batters over four scoreless innings while allowing just three base hits in his first outing since being placed on the Disabled List on May 11.
In defeat, Tyler Pastornicky collected three hits for the Lugnuts, with Brian Van Kirk, Mike McDade, Jon Talley, and Balbino Fuenmayor chipping in a pair of base hits apiece.
The Lugnuts return home to Oldsmobile Park on Tuesday to begin a six-game homestand with a 7:05 p.m. affair against the Burlington Bees. Left-hander John Anderson (1-2, 4.12) starts for Lansing, opposed by Burlington right-hander Sam Runion (2-3, 7.11). It will be a Dollar Dog Tuesday at Oldsmobile Park, with hot dogs priced at just $1 apiece all game long.
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Midwest League Stories from May 25, 2009
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- Younger's double in the ninth rallies Kernels past Lansing, 6-5 - Cedar Rapids Kernels
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- Kernels Come Back, Walk-Off Lugnuts, 6-5 - Lansing Lugnuts
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