Hawks Defeat Kernels, Reach .500

Published on May 6, 2009 under Midwest League (MWL1)
South Bend Silver Hawks News Release


South Bend, IN - The South Bend Silver Hawks have reached the .500 mark for the first time this season with a 7-5 victory over the Cedar Rapids Kernels Wednesday night at Coveleski Stadium. The Silver Hawks are now 13-13 on the year, and have won five of their last six.

Silver Hawks starter Ryan Cook (WP, 4-0) remained perfect on the season, turning in his fifth quality start in as many appearances. Cook went 6.0 innings on Wednesday, allowing three runs on six hits with five strikeouts and two walks to tie for the Midwest League lead in victories with four.

The Silver Hawks pushed three runs across the plate in the bottom of the first against Kernels starter Ryan Chaffee (LP, 0-1) without the benefit of a base hit. With one out, Alfredo Marte walked and went to second on a balk. Alberto Diaz reached on an error by the third baseman, putting runners at first and second. Nelson Gomez dribbled a ball out in front of the plate, which Chaffee fielded but threw down the right field line. Two runs scored, and Gomez ended up at third. After a hit batter put runners on the corners, a fielder's choice from Jake Elmore scored Gomez for the 3-0 lead.

The Silver Hawks would get some runs without the help of defensive miscues later in the game. Isaias Asencio (pronounced E-sigh-e-us Uh-Sen-Che-oh) had a big night, with a RBI double in the fourth and a two run home run in the sixth. Ramon Ramirez added the other RBI for the Hawks with a sacrifice fly in the fourth.

The Kernels had a number of opportunities in the ballgame, but stranded 11 runners after leaving 12 on base yesterday. Anel De Los Santos homered for the Kernels in the fifth for their first two runs of the night and a Jon Townsend sacrifice fly in the sixth made it a 5-3 game.

With the Hawks leading 7-3 in the seventh, reliever Bryan Woodall (ND) allowed two runs but left the bases loaded to maintain a 7-5 lead. The Kernels left them loaded again in the eighth as the newest Silver Hawks pitcher, Yonata Ortega, pitched out of a jam.

Justin Mace (SV, 2) took the drama out of the game in the ninth, setting down Cedar Rapids in order to close out the game.

The Silver Hawks and Kernels wrap up the three game series Thursday morning with a special school day at The Cove. First pitch is scheduled for 10:30 AM with RHP Sean Morgan (0-0, 2.92 ERA) on the mound for the Silver Hawks. Cedar Rapids counters with LHP Will Smith (0-0, 3.00 ERA). Pregame coverage begins at 10:10 AM on 1620 AM WPNT "The Point" and online at www.silverhawks.com.

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Midwest League Stories from May 6, 2009


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