MWL1 Cedar Rapids Kernels

Christensen lifts Kernels over Burlington

Published on June 1, 2014 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release


CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - The Cedar Rapids Kernels defeated the Burlington Bees 4-3 in a comeback effort Sunday afternoon at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Chad Christensen hit the go-ahead homerun in the bottom of the eighth to give the Kernels the decisive lead. Jared Wilson pitched two scoreless frames and picked up his second victory of the season out of the bullpen. Mitch Garver nailed his seventh long ball of the year while Jason Kanzler and Engelb Vielma each added one run-batted-in.

For the second consecutive day Burlington stung first in the ballgame.

In the top of the second an Exicardo Cayones single into left field combined with a throwing error from Kernels' Joel Licon allowed two runs to cross the plate. Angel Rosa later drove in Cayones on a sacrifice fly to make it a 3-0 Burlington lead heading to the bottom of two.

The Kernels cut it to 3-1 in the second inning when Mitch Garver was plated by a Jason Kanzler fielder's choice ground ball.

Tanner Vavra smacked a double to open the bottom of the third for Cedar Rapids and was brought home by an Engelb Vielma sacrifice fly to make it a 3-2 Burlington lead.

Garver scored his second run of the game by leading off the fourth inning with a solo blast over the left field wall. Garver's seventh homerun tied the game at 3-3.

Right-hander Kohl Stewart left the mound after his sixth inning of work. The Kernels' starter allowed three runs, one being earned, off of five hits and struck out four batters while taking the no-decision.

Jared Wilson (2-0) entered for Cedar Rapids in the seventh inning and struck out two Bees while walking one in his two-inning scoreless, hitless stint.

Burlington hurler Clint Sharp also finished his start after six innings while allowing three runs. Sharp gave up seven hits and struck out four during his eleventh opener for the Bees.

Reliever Trevor Foss (1-4) toed the rubber for Burlington to start the seventh inning. The right-hander allowed one run and two hits while walking two Kernels during his two frames of work.

Cedar Rapids-native Chad Christensen blasted the Kernels in front 4-3 with one out in the bottom of the eighth with his fourth homer of the season.

Todd Van Steensel closed the game for Cedar Rapids and picked up his fourth save off the year while striking out one in his single stanza on the hill.

The Kernels battle Burlington in the rubber-match on Monday with the first pitch scheduled for 12:05 p.m. It's a 104.5 KDAT Noon Game and Dollar Monday where regular hot dogs, small popcorn, ice cream sandwiches, chips and Cracker Jacks are each $1 during all Monday home games. Plus, get $1 taquitos at the Hacienda Las Glorias / La Cantina Mexican Cart.

LHP Derrick Penilla (1-1, 4.15) is scheduled to start Monday for the Kernels while Burlington's probable starter is RHP Garrett Nuss (3-0, 3.74). Tickets are available at www.kernels.com. You can also visit the Kernels Ticket Office at Veterans Memorial Stadium or call 319-896-7560. Kernels games are broadcast live on KMRY Radio (93.1 FM/1450 AM) and streamed online at www.kernels.com.

Check out the Cedar Rapids Kernels Statistics

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Midwest League Stories from June 1, 2014


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