MWL1 Cedar Rapids Kernels

Big Innings Lift Kernels over Beloit

Published on August 12, 2014 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release


BELOIT, Wis. - The Kernels used a pair of big innings to blast Beloit 12-5 at Pohlman Field on Tuesday night. Cedar Rapids scored six runs in the fifth inning and four more runs in the sixth inning. Every Kernels player scored at least one run in the game, and eight of nine players recorded hits.

The Snappers outhit the Kernels on the night, 14-13, and it didn't take them long to take a 1-0 lead. Melvin Mercedes led off the bottom of the first inning with a solo home run. The shot was pulled over the wall in right field for his second homer of the season. His first home run came in his last game on Sunday at Quad Cities.

Beloit scored again in the second inning to move ahead 2-0. Ryan Mathews tripled to right-center with one out and scored when Michael Soto followed with a RBI single through the middle. The Snappers stranded three on base to the end inning and left three more on base in the fourth inning.

The Kernels collected two runs on their first hit in the third inning, tying the game 2-2. Chad Christensen's two-out, two-run single was the team's first hit of the evening. His opposite field hit snuck into right field and just past the Snappers diving second baseman, Chih-Fang Pan, who nearly made a terrific catch. Engelb Vielma and Ryan Walker - who both drew walks - scored on the single.

Cedar Rapids scored six runs on six hits in the fifth inning, taking an 8-2 lead by sending 11 men to the plate. Tanner Vavra started the inning with a walk. With one out, the Kernels tallied five consecutive hits. Logan Wade chopped a single through the right side. Christensen's RBI single into left plated Vavra to give the Kernels a 3-2 lead. Mitch Garver ripped a RBI single into the left-center field gap to score Wade, making the score 4-2. Alex Swim reached on a bloop single down the left field line to load the bases. Then, Max Murphy lined a RBI single to center to score Christensen. Garver came home on a RBI groundout by J.D. Williams. With the Kernels leading 6-2, Engelb Vielma broke the game open with a two-run single to left. This scored Swim and Murphy and extended the Kernels lead to six runs.

The Kernels continued the offensive onslaught in the sixth inning, pushing across four more runs to move ahead 12-2. Nine batters came to the plate in the sixth as the first two of the inning were retired. The Kernels recorded four straight hits with two outs. Garver, Swim, and Murphy all singled to load the bases. Williams singled into left field to score Garver and put the Kernels up 9-2. Vielma reached on a fielding error to score Murphy. Then, Tanner Vavra's two-run bloop single into shallow right field scored Williams and Vielma to put Cedar Rapids up by 10 runs.

Ryan Eades (8-11) went six innings for the victory for the Kernels. He allowed two runs on nine hits while striking out four and walking three.

Beloit tallied three runs against Kernels reliever Josue Montanez in the seventh inning, cutting the Kernels lead to 12-5. Matt Chapman doubled and scored on Tyler Marincov's RBI single. Phil Pohl then singled and came home on a RBI double by Mathews. Soto's RBI groundout scored Pohl for the final tally of the game. Montanez went one inning, allowing four hits with one strikeout.

Hudson Boyd went the final two innings in relief for the Kernels, allowing no runs on one hit. He struck out one and walked one.

Joe Michaud (3-2) took the loss for the Snappers, allowing six runs in 2/3 inning in the fifth. He allowed six hits while striking out one and walking one. Kyle Finnegan started and went four innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on just one hit. Finnegan struck out three and walked four.

Game two of the series at Beloit is Thursday at 7:00 p.m. RHP Chih-Wei Hu (4-1, 2.91) makes the start on the mound for the Kernels. The Snappers, the Midwest League affiliate of the Athletics, send RHP Lou Trivino (6-8, 4.83) to the hill.

The Kernels return home on Friday night at 6:35 p.m. to take on the Peoria Chiefs, the Midwest League affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. It's Hawkeye Sports Night so fans are invited to wear black and gold as Herky and the Iowa Spirit Squad will be in attendance. The first 1,000 fans through the gates will receive a free Hawkeye mini football. The Kernels will wear Hawkeye themed jerseys, presented by the Linn County I-Club. The jerseys will be sold via a silent auction during the game. It's also Daddy-Daughter Date Night. In addition, it's Friday Mug Club Night, sponsored by 98.1 KHAK. Fans can buy a 16 oz. souvenir mug filled with their favorite draft beer or soda for $6.00 and get refills for $3.00.

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.

Check out the Cedar Rapids Kernels Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Midwest League Stories from August 12, 2014


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.

OurSports Central