Kendrick\'s double keys Kernels comeback victory
September 3, 2004 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa â Howie Kendrick's bases-loaded double in the bottom of the seventh inning erased a one-run West Michigan lead and carried the Kernels past the Whitecaps, 3-2, Friday night in a Midwest League game played before a crowd of 2,200 at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
The win was only the second in the last eight games for the Kernels (31-36 second half, 73-63 overall). West Michigan (39-28, 68-68) lost for only the seventh time in its last 32 games.
Kendrick, facing an uphill struggle to win the Midwest League batting title, was 3-for-3, boosting his batting average to .362. He has 324 plate appearances, well shy of the 378 necessary to qualify for the league batting title. His adjusted batting average, if an 0-for-54 were added to his stats, would put his average at .307. Peoria's Daric Barton went into Friday's game as the Midwest League's leading hitter at .319. If his adjusted average finishes better than the league leader, Kendrick would win the batting crown.
Juan Francia's RBI double in the top of the fifth inning staked West Michigan to a 1-0 lead. The Kernels strung together three straight two-out singles in the bottom of the inning. The last, by Baltazar Lopez, tied the game, 1-1.
Kelly Hunt's 20th home run leading off the sixth inning put West Michigan back on top, 2-1.
Nick Kimpton and Ryan Leahy stroked back-to-back singles leading off the Kernels seventh. Anthony Tomey relieved Whitecaps starter Chris Steinborn (8-11) and walked Quan Cosby, loading the bases. Kendrick then lined Tomey's 1-0 offering off the left-field wall, narrowly missing a grand slam, for a two-run double that put the Kernels ahead, 3-2.
Wayne Hedden (1-1) struck out the only West Michigan batter he faced and was the winner. Bob Zimmermann worked the final two innings, striking out three, for his 24th save.
NIBLETS â The Kernels and West Michigan continue the season-ending, four-game series Saturday night at 6:30. It's Fox 28/40 Ball Night and Patio Daddio. The first 500 kids 12-under will receive a free logo baseball. Also, two lucky fans will win a year's supply of bratwurst and tailgate grill set. ... Kernels games can be heard on The Zone, ESPN Radio 1600 AM with John Rodgers.
Midwest League Stories from September 3, 2004
- Swing rally for ten-inning win - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Wizards put a spell n the Rattlers - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Kendrick's double keys Kernels comeback victory - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Silver Hawks Blank Bees - Burlington Bees
- Cougars blasted by the Lugnuts, 14 - 0 - Kane County Cougars
- Snappers Take Game One, Stay Alive for Post Season - Beloit Sky Carp
- Yanks fall to Dragons, 8-2 - Southwest Michigan Devil Rays
- Dragons Damage Yankees Playoff Hopes, 8-2 - Dayton Dragons
- 'Caps Drop Opener as Playoffs Near - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Begnaud Joins Bees - Burlington Bees
- Kane County RHP Jose Corchado Activated for Tonight's Game Against the Lugnuts - Kane County Cougars
- News & notes - Quad Cities River Bandits
- LumberKings Win.....Move Closer to Playoffs - Clinton LumberKings
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.
