Kernels drop season finale to Chiefs, 5-2
September 3, 2007 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release
The Cedar Rapids Kernels dropped the 2007 MWL season finale to the Peoria Chiefs, 5-2, on Monday afternoon at O'Brien Field in Peoria, but in the process the Kernels were named the MWL West second half champs on a tie-breaker with Quad Cities, and set a new MWL record for the fewest walks issued in a season.
The Kernels were held to just four hits today, and scored their runs on a Stantrel Smit sac fly in the third and a Peter Bourjos RBI double in the sixth. All four of the Kernels hits were for extra bases as P.J. Phillips and Brian Walker each had a triple and Wil Ortiz added a double.
Kernels starter Amalio Diaz (3-6) was roughed up for five runs on 13 hits over 5.1 innings with three strikeouts. Jim West came on to pitch 2.2 scoreless innings, allowing just three hits and walking one batter.
Peoria starter Robert Hernandez (8-9) allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits and struck out six over 5.2 innings to get the win. Alex Maestri allowed a hit, but struck out the side in the top of the ninth to earn his second save of the series and 12th save of the season.
The Kernels set a new MWL record for fewest walks issued in a season. Kernel pitchers issued 303 walks this season, breaking the old record of 318 set by Fort Wayne in 2002.
The Kernels now turn their attention to their first round playoff opponent, the Clinton LumberKings. The first game of the best of three playoff series will be at Veterans Memorial Stadium at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, September 5th with the gates opening at 5:30 pm. Games 2 and 3 will be played at Alliant Energy Field in Clinton with game time set for 7 pm.
Playoff tickets are available on-line at www.kernels.com
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Midwest League Stories from September 3, 2007
- Big Inning Ends Loons Season With Loss - Great Lakes Loons
- Lugnuts Cap Regular Season With Sweep - Lansing Lugnuts
- Bees End Season with a Win - Burlington Bees
- Swept to end the regular season - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Kernels drop season finale to Chiefs, 5-2 - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Snappers To Face Quad Cities In First Round - Beloit Sky Carp
- Chiefs Win Season Finale, Beat Kernels 5-2 - Peoria Chiefs
- Chiefs Set Franchise Attendance Record - Peoria Chiefs
- Snappers End Regular Season on Positive Note - Beloit Sky Carp
- Swing Swept Away In Beloit - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Dragons Drop Regular Season Finale 8-5 - Dayton Dragons
- Kane County wraps up 17th season of baseball with a defeat in Wisconsin - Kane County Cougars
- Rattlers End Season With A Walk Off - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Playoffs Are Coming On Wednesday - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Kernels make the playoffs - Cedar Rapids Kernels
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