Nordgren Fans 12, But Kernels Fall in Extras
May 28, 2016 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release
CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - Despite a career-high 12 strikeouts over seven innings Saturday from Miles Nordgren, the Cedar Rapids Kernels lost to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in 11 innings, 2-1, in game two of a four-game series. Wisconsin takes a 2-0 series lead after its extra-inning victory before a crowd of 2,968 at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
Nordgren silenced the Timber Rattlers (24-25) through the first five innings while racking up the strikeouts. After a punchout in the top of the first, Nordgren struck out the side in the second. He also fanned two batters in the third, one in the fourth, and two in the fifth. During those five scoreless frames, Nordgren only allowed two Timber Rattlers to get on base.
Wisconsin finally broke through for a run in the sixth. Luis Aviles poked a two-out single into right field and stole second base before Isan Diaz produced an RBI single to bring in Aviles and give the Timber Rattlers a 1-0 lead. Nordgren still collected two strikeouts in the inning and added a final strikeout in the seventh. Nordgren's 12 strikeouts was the most by any Kernels pitcher this year.
Cedar Rapids (27-21) was held scoreless until tying the contest at 1-1 in the bottom of the ninth. The inning began with a double by J.J. Fernandez. Alex Perez came in as a pinch-runner and moved to third base during a groundout from Brad Hartong. Jermaine Palacios followed by hitting a game-tying sacrifice fly.
The Timber Rattlers scored the decisive run in the 11th inning and grabbed a 2-1 victory. With runners at the corners and one out, Aviles hit a sacrifice fly that scored pinch-runner Sthervin Matos. The Kernels completed a sacrifice double play when Nelson Molina cut off the throw from right field and got the ball to Palacios for a tag on Blake Allemand.
The Kernels were unable to respond with a game-tying run in their half of the 11th. Nelson Molina reached on a one-out single and advanced to second base on a groundout by Perez before another groundout ended the scoring threat and the game.
Wisconsin's Devin Williams took credit for the victory and pushed his record to 1-1. Nathan Griep followed Williams for the save, his team-high seventh save of the year. Cedar Rapids' C.K. Irby was handed the loss and fell to 1-2 this season.
The Kernels and the Timber Rattlers resume this series Sunday at 2:05 p.m. as Cedar Rapids right-hander Cody Stashak (2-3, 2.56 ERA) on the mound against Wisconsin southpaw Drake Owenby (2-1, 2.75 ERA). Catch all of the action with Chris Kleinhans-Schulz on 1450 KMRY AM and 93.1 KMRY FM and online at www.kmryradio.com, www.kernels.com and MiLB.TV.
Kids Eat Free Sunday, courtesy of Western Fraternal Life, offers a coupon for all kids aged 12 and under to get a free hot dog, small popcorn and Capri Sun. New Belgium Brewing Bike to the Ballpark invites fans rides their bikes to Sunday's tilt, and those fans will be eligible to win a Grizzly cooler from New Belgium Brewing and Fleck Sales and a pair of Kernels tickets. Run the Bases Sunday, courtesy of Jimmy John's and 104.5 KDAT, gives fans an opportunity to run the bases, play catch in the outfield and get autographs from the Kernels after the contest. Plus, play Travel Advisors Baseball Bingo during the game for a chance to win a trip to Minneapolis for a Twins game.
Tickets for all Kernels home games and the 2016 Midwest League All-Star Game are available at www.kernels.com, the Kernels Ticket Office and by calling (319) 896-7560. The Kernels Ticket Office is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturdays. The ticket office is closed on Sundays except on Kernels Sunday home dates when it will open at 11:00 a.m.
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