MWL Cedar Rapids Kernels

Kala'I Rosario's Walk-Off Single Lifts Kernels Over Cubs 3-2

Published on June 13, 2023 under Midwest League (MWL)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release


Cedar Rapids, IA - In a 2-2 tie in the bottom of the ninth inning, Kala'i Rosario roped a single up the middle, scoring Ben Ross from second base to propel the Kernels to a 3-2 victory in the series opener against South Bend.

Entering play Tuesday night, Cedar Rapids held a 3.5-game lead over second-place South Bend with just nine games left in the first half of the Midwest League season. With a playoff spot on the line, the Kernels hopped on the board first in their half of the first inning. After a pair of errors put two runners on, Rosario opened up the scoring with an RBI single into left field, and the next batter, Noah Cardenas, made it 2-0 Cedar Rapids with an RBI base hit as well.

Those two runs, though, both unearned, were the only two South Bend starter Connor Noland allowed in his five innings of work. And the tandem of Adam Laskey and Joe Nahas out of the Cubs bullpen kept the Kernels scoreless over the next seven innings.

With the Cedar Rapids offense being held at bay. South Bend tied the game on one swing in the top of the third. After a Kevin Made single, Jacob Wetzel smashed his first home run of the season, evening the game at 2-2.

The two runs off of that big fly were the only two runs allowed by Cedar Rapids pitcher Mike Paredes in his third start of the season. In four innings, Paredes allowed those two runs on three hits while collecting five strikeouts.

After Paredes' night came to an end, Jordan Carr came out of the bullpen and was dominant once again. After four hitless innings in his last outing against Dayton, Carr went five scoreless frames again tonight, allowing just a single hit compared to just three strikeouts lowering his ERA to 1.83 in his 44.1 innings this season.

As both sides shined on the mound, the 2-2 score held until the bottom of the ninth. To lead off the inning, Ben Ross was hit on a two-strike pitch and moved to second on a wild pitch. With now a runner in scoring position, Kala'i Rosario shot a single up the middle, scoring the game-winning run in a 3-2 walk-off victory.

The win is the second in walk-off fashion for the Kernels (33-25) this season and the first since April 11. The loss for South Bend (28-29) sends the Cubs 4.5 games back of Cedar Rapids in the MWL West first-half standings with eight games left. The Kernels have a chance to ensure South Bend does not leave Cedar Rapids in first place with a win tomorrow afternoon, Cory Lewis makes the start for the home side opposite Luis Devers at 12:05.

Check out the Cedar Rapids Kernels Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Midwest League Stories from June 13, 2023


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.

OurSports Central