Devil Rays dominate Kernels in finale
August 18, 2005 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release
Sean Rodriguez and Drew Toussaint belted solo home runs but the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays got outstanding pitching from Eddie de la Cruz and two relievers to take a 5-2 victory in the series finale between the two teams.
A crowd of 4,936 came out for the team's final noon game of the season only to watch as the de la Cruz baffled Kernels' hitters for seven innings. The big right-handed hurler gave up just three hits and two walks while striking out five to improve to 6-3.
One of those hits was a towering home run by Rodriguez in the top of the first inning. The blast, which was S-Rod's 11th of the season, would have done more damage but leadoff man Alexi Casilla was caught stealing just prior to the clout.
Eduardo de la Cruz settled down afterward and gave up just a first inning single to Josh LeBlanc and a fifth inning single to Warner Madrigal before turning the game over to the bullpen with a 5-1 lead.
After each team scored a run in the first the visitors took the lead with a two run third inning off Kernels starter Fernando Rodriguez. Fernando Perez, Reid Brignac, and Shaun Cumberland each singled to load the bases before Rodriguez walked Chris Nowak to push home Perez. Alex Jamieson then lined out to center allowing Brignac to waltz home from third.
Southwest Michigan put two more runs up in the fifth after the first three batters up all earned hits off Rodriguez. Nowak had an RBI groundout and Jamieson dumped a single to right for another run.
Jose de la Cruz, the Devil Rays' closer, worked the ninth in a non-save situation and got LeBlanc to ground out for the first out before surrendering a deep homer to dead center to Toussaint. The blast was Toussaint's 18th of the season and was extra special for the Los Angeles native because his family was spending its final day in Cedar Rapids watching him play. It also ended a homer drought that stretched back to July 27th when Toussaint hit No. 17 against Fort Wayne.
Of the Kernels' six hits, Sean Rodriguez collected two including his homer.
With the win the Devil Rays remained poised to grab one of two available playoff spots in the Eastern Division while the Kernels' hopes of making the playoffs took another blow. The Kernels will play their final 16 games of the year against Western Division opponents so there is still some hope the team can grab a spot in the playoffs but that hope dims with each passing loss and the knowledge the Kernels are a dismal 28-48 against Western teams.
The loss marks the end of an eight-game home stand for the Kernels during which the team went 4-4 against Kane County and the Devil Rays. Cedar Rapids now hits the road for a 10 day, eight game stretch of day trips to Clinton and Burlington. The Kernels will play four with the Lumber Kings, take two days off, then finish their road trip with four against the Bees before returning home August 29th to face the Swing of the Quad Cities.
Midwest League Stories from August 18, 2005
- Dragons lose early lead, pull out win in ten innings, 8-6 - Dayton Dragons
- Dragons extend winning streak to two with 9-6 win - Dayton Dragons
- Rattlers turn tables to split series - Burlington Bees
- Cougars fall to West Michigan in finale - Kane County Cougars
- Frazier puts Whitecaps on top for good - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Rattlers crush Bees - Burlington Bees
- Hawks puncture Peoria pitching - South Bend Silver Hawks
- Burns sets franchise record in Snapper win over the Swing - Beloit Sky Carp
- Feisty Swing drop third straight - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Dragons go extra to drop Lugnuts and take series, 8-6 - Lansing Lugnuts
- Dragons lose early lead, pull out win in 10 innings, 8-6 - Dayton Dragons
- Cougars Make Moves in the Outfield - Kane County Cougars
- Devil Rays dominate Kernels in finale - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Peralta pops off DL, Patrick heads to infirmary - Lansing Lugnuts
- Versatile Dragon Becoming Versatile Bat - Dayton Dragons
- Devil Rays Rundown: Mascot Olympics, Friday Fireworks and Team Photo Day - Southwest Michigan Devil Rays
- A Real Life Field of Dreams; 'Caps Choose Honorary Bench Coach for Comerica Game - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Wizards roster undergoes changes - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- L-Kings top Wizards, 6-2 - Clinton LumberKings
- Wizards Playoff Tickets On Sale - Fort Wayne TinCaps
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.
