MWL1 Cedar Rapids Kernels

Grichuk's Walk-Off Homer Gives Kernels 5-4 Win Over Beloit In 11 Innings

Published on August 1, 2011 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release


CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Randal Grichuk blasted a walk-off home run in the 11th inning, giving the Cedar Rapids Kernels a 5-4 victory and a series win over the Beloit Snappers Monday afternoon at Perfect Game Field.

The homer off of Snappers reliever Nelvin Fuentes was Grichuk's first as a Kernel this season. In addition to the solo homer, he also kept a Beloit run from scoring by making a tremendous diving catch in right field in the top of the 11th. Grichuk, Jarrod Parks, and Ricky Alvarez each recorded a pair of hits in Monday's ballgame.

Kernels reliever Tyler Kehrer (2-0) picked up win - his second of the year - tossing 2.1 innings of one-hit shutout baseball while striking out a pair of Snappers hitters. Fuentes (2-2) earned the loss for Beloit, allowing one run in 0.2 innings. Cedar Rapids starting pitcher A.J. Schugel pitched very well, but didn't factor into the decision. Schugel struck out eight hitters, allowing only two hits and one earned run over 5.2 innings.

The Kernels scored the first run of the ballgame in the third inning on a RBI groundout by Jeremy Cruz, but the Snappers answered right back. First baseman Lance Ray belted a solo home run to right field in the fourth inning, tying the game at 1-1.

Cedar Rapids added a run in the fifth inning to take a 2-1 lead. Marcus Nidiffer reached on an error to lead off the inning, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Jean Almanzar, and scampered into third on a passed ball. Travis Witherspoon drove home Nidiffer on a RBI single to centerfield. The Kernels picked up their third run of the contest in the sixth inning, giving the squad a 3-1 lead. Ricky Alvarez tripled and came home to score on a sacrifice fly by Justin Bass.

An RBI single by Reggie Williams and a sacrifice fly by Lance Ray brought home a pair of runs for the Snappers in the seventh inning, tying the ballgame at 3-3. Jarrod Parks gave the Kernels a one-run lead in the bottom of the eighth inning, driving home Ricky Alvarez on a single to left field, but Beloit tied the ballgame at 4-4 in the ninth inning on a Daniel Tillman pitch that got away from catcher Marcus Nidiffer. The score remained tied until the 11th when Grichuk gave the Kernels the extra-inning win in walk-off fashion.

The Kernels open up a four game series with Quad Cities on Tuesday evening at 6:35 p.m. It's a Z 102.9 Two Dollar Tuesday when the Kernels host Quad Cities on August 2nd. Regular hot dogs, peanuts, pretzels, bottled soda, water, and 12 oz. draft beer are all just two bucks! It's also KRAFT Singles Tuesday Night Tickets. Bring your KRAFT Singles package wrapper to the Kernels Ticket Office for a buy one ticket, get one free offer from KRAFT Singles. Gates open at 5:30 p.m.

Morgan Hawk brings you the action on the radio home of Kernels baseball, 1450 AM and 93.1 FM, KMRY. Fans may also listen online at www.kmryradio.com or www.kernels.com . Tickets are available online at www.kernels.com or by calling the Kernels Ticket Office at 896-7560. Ticket office hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.

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Midwest League Stories from August 1, 2011


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