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MWL1 Cedar Rapids Kernels

Five-Run Sixth Inning Leads Hot Rods Past Kernels

August 7, 2015 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release


CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - The Kernels lost 7-5 to Bowling Green on Friday night. The Hot Rods scored five runs in the sixth inning. Nick Gordon hit his first Midwest League home run in the loss. The victory for Bowling Green snapped a five-game losing streak. The teams meet in the middle game of the series on Saturday night at 5:05 p.m.

Gordon and Rafael Valera both collected three hits on the night. Gordon drove in two and scored two runs.

The Kernels (23-18, 64-47) defense committed three errors in the top of the first inning, and Bowling Green scored twice to take a 2-0 lead. An errant throw by first baseman Tyler Kuresa on a potential pickoff allowed Riley Unroe to reach second base. Runners were put on the corners after Grant Kay rocketed a single off Kernels starting pitcher Randy Rosario. Justin Williams then bounced a ball back to Rosario, but his throw to second was dropped by second baseman Rafael Valera. This allowed Unroe to score the game's first run, also moving Kay to third base. Kay scored to make the score 2-0 on the inning's third error when Kuresa misplayed a grounder off the bat of Bralin Jackson.

Gordon tied the game 2-2 in the third inning with his first Midwest League home run. Gordon's two-run big fly came with two outs in the third, flying over the right field wall. It scored Valera, who singled with one out.

Bowling Green (20-21, 57-54) broke the tie in a big way with five runs on four doubles in the sixth inning, sending nine to the plate to jump in front 7-2. Three straight doubles made the score 4-2. Nick Ciuffo rippled a double past first base with one out. Coty Blanchard's hustle RBI double scored Ciuffo. Blanchard came home on Alec Sole's RBI double to deep right. A pair of walks loaded the bases for Justin Williams. Williams laced a bases-clearing, three-run double to left center to score Sole, Unroe and Kay to give the Hot Rods a five-run lead.

The Kernels scored a pair of two-out runs in the seventh inning, trimming the deficit to 7-4 with four total hits. Valera started the inning with a single before Tanner English took his place at first on a fielder's choice. Gordon singled to left, his third hit of the night. Zack Larson's two-out RBI infield plated English. T.J. White went the opposite way for a RBI single that scored Gordon.

Cedar Rapids inched closer with a run in the eighth inning to make the score 7-5. Austin Diemer reached on an infield single, moving to third base on Valera's third single of the game. Diemer came home on English's RBI sacrifice fly to right field.

The Kernels threatened in the ninth inning but did not score. They loaded the bases with no outs after a single by Edgar Corcino, walk by Zack Larson and hit by pitch taken by White. However, back to back strikeouts and a deep fly to left-center ended the game.

Randy Rosario (1-3) suffered the loss for the Kernels. He allowed six runs (four earned) on nine hits, striking out five and walking one. Jared Wilson worked 2 1/3 innings in relief and gave up one run on two hits while punching out three and walking one. John Curtiss worked around a two-out triple for a scoreless ninth inning in his first relief appearance and first outing since May 25 after spending time on the disabled list.

Chris Pike (9-5) earned the win for the Hot Rods. He pitched six innings and allowed two runs on five hits while striking out two and walking three. Kyle Bird worked two innings and allowed three runs on six hits. Edwin Fierro earned his first save, pitching the scoreless ninth inning after allowing one hit and walk, as well as hitting one batter.

The Kernels host Bowling Green again on Saturday night at 5:05 p.m. RHP Sam Gibbons (5-2, 3.14) gets the start for the Kernels while RHP Jose Mujica (0-1, 3.71) pitches for the Hot Rods.

It's Jimmy Buffett Night at the ballpark! The Kernels will wear special Hawaiian jerseys that will be sold during the game via a silent auction. Fans can play catch in the outfield after the game and enjoy the music of the Compass Rose Band. A spectacular fireworks show starts at dusk!

Check out the Cedar Rapids Kernels Statistics



Midwest League Stories from August 7, 2015


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