Interference call crushes Kernels comeback

Published on April 23, 2004 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release

CLINTON, Iowa – In an interference call on a botched squeeze bunt attempt in the bottom of the ninth inning scored the winning run and lifted Clinton past the Cedar Rapids Kernels, 4-3, at Alliant Energy Field.

The Kernels (9-6) remained in a first-place tie with Kane County (9-6) in the Midwest League's Western Division. The Kernels open a two-game series against Kane County on Saturday at 5 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Clinton (8-7) is a game behind the Kernels and Cougars.

The Kernels rallied for three runs in the top of the ninth to tie the game, 3-3. Howie Kendrick belted a lead-off home run, Matt Pali laced an RBI double and Blake Balkcom's two-out RBI single tied the game.

Clinton's Emerson Frostad tripled leading off the bottom of the ninth. Pinch runner Brock Jacobsen was awarded home when it was ruled Kernels pitcher Bob Zimmermann (1-1) had interfered with him during while fielding a squeeze bunt attempt.

The game was 0-0 through six innings. Kernels starter Abel Moreno shrugged off two sluggish starts and was dazzling, allowing two hits and two walks in six innings while striking out 10.

Clinton starter John Danks, the No. 1 pick of the Texas Rangers in June 2003, was equally impressive, allowing only one hit and striking out six in four innings of work.

Balkcom had two of the Kernels' seven hits.

The Kernels host Kane County at 5 p.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. The Swing of the Quad Cities comes in for games Monday and Tuesday. Both games start at 6:30 p.m. All Kernels games can be heard on The Zone, ESPN Radio 1600-AM, with John Rodgers.

Midwest League Stories from April 23, 2004

• Doubleheader scheduled for 5:00 p.m. Friday - Quad Cities River Bandits
• Dragons Sweep Double Header from Swing - Dayton Dragons
• Interference call crushes Kernels comeback - Cedar Rapids Kernels
• Bees beat Rattlers 4-1 - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
• Cougars lose to Peoria, 7 - 2 - Kane County Cougars
• Lugnuts dealt first shutout - Lansing Lugnuts
• Whitecaps fall 4-1 to Silver Hawks - West Michigan Whitecaps
• Yankees¹ Clippard tames Wizards - Southwest Michigan Devil Rays
• Rod Carew to attend Swing's opening day - Quad Cities River Bandits
• Upcoming Kernels events - Cedar Rapids Kernels
• Perez activated off DL - Dayton Dragons
• Gardner joins Yankees, Wheeler on DL - Southwest Michigan Devil Rays
• LumberKings Split Doubleheader - Clinton LumberKings
• Kernels split doubleheader with Clinton - Cedar Rapids Kernels
• Dusty Hughes named MWL Pitcher of the Week - Burlington Bees
• Bees and Timber Rattlers Split Double-Header - Burlington Bees

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