Kernels ace notches 6th win in 1-hit masterpiece
Published on May 8, 2003 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa â Kevin Jepsen pitched seven innings of one-hit baseball and Jake Mathis' two-out pinch-hit single in the seventh inning broke a 1-1 tie and sent the Cedar Rapids Kernels past the Dayton Dragons, 2-1, Thursday afternoon in a Midwest League baseball game played before a paid crowd of 1,730 at New Veterans Memorial Stadium.
The win was the Kernels' second in as many days against Dayton (16-18) and improved their record to 18-15 in the Midwest League's Western Division.
Jepsen (6-1) limited Dayton to a one-out hit by Kevin Howard in the Dragons' first inning. He walked three and struck out six. The seven-inning stint was his longest of the season. He worked six innings in his last outing, a loss at Battle Creek on May 3. Jepsen has won six of seven starts and leads the Midwest League in wins.
Ozzie Lugo pitched the final two innings and struck out three for his first save. The one-hitter was the fourth authored by Kernels pitchers this season.
Mathis delivered his second game-winning hit in as many days. His two-run single keyed a 5-1 win over the Dragons on Wednesday.
The Kernels, who managed only seven hits, drew first blood in the second inning. Jared Abruzzo doubled and David Gates followed with a single that sent Abruzzo to third. One out later, Abruzzo scored when Gates beat a throw by Dayton third baseman Mark Schramek to second base on Matt Brown's grounder.
Dayton scored an unearned run in the third to tie the game, 1-1. Miguel Perez reached on a fielding error by Jepsen, stole second, advanced to third on a ground out and scored on another ground out.
The Kernels, who were held to two hits in six innings by Dayton southpaw starter Camilo Vasquez, reached reliever Kyle Lucas with two outs in the seventh. Brown singled and went to second on a single by Tommy Duenas. Mathis stepped to the plate and sent a sinking liner that Dayton center fielder Domonique Lewis dove for and barely missed.
The teams split the four-game series.
Notes â Caleb Maher had his six-game hitting streak snapped. He had at least one hit in the first six games he played for the Kernels. ... The Kernels are 13-3 in games they score first. ... The Kernels improved to 12-7 at home. ... Erick Aybar has hit safely in 27 of the 31 games he has played, including an infield single in Thursday's game. ... Dayton's Vasquez had not worked longer than three innings in four previous starts. The 19-year-old was a fourth-round pick of the Cincinnati Reds in June 2002 out of high school in Florida.
Next game â Friday, West Michigan at Kernels, 6:30 p.m.
Radio â The Zone ESPN Radio 1600-AM.
UPCOMING HOME GAMES
Friday â vs. West Michigan, 6:30 p.m. Coe Night. The Kernels welcome the students and faculty from Coe College for their "Night at the Ballpark.''
Saturday â vs. West Michigan, 5 p.m. 100.7 The Fox Tips for Trips Night. Breast Cancer Awareness Night. Everyone entering the stadium will get a chance to win a trip to Anaheim to see an Angels game and visit Disneyland, including round-trip airfare. People can earn extra tickets by tipping 100.7 The Fox disc jockeys, who will be vending beverages. The tip money goes to the American Cancer Society, on the eve of the Big Bang, baseball's effort to help wipe out breast cancer.
Sunday â vs. West Michigan, 2 p.m. Mercy Women's Center Heart to Heart Baseball Cap Day. The first 1,000 women age 18-older will receive a free navy baseball cap on Mother's Day, courtesy of the Mercy Women's Center and its Heart to Heart program. It also is another Krispy Kreme Sundae, with the delightful treats featuring Krispy Kreme doughnuts, Well's Blue Bunny ice cream and chocolate or strawberry toppings for only $2.00.
Monday â vs. West Michigan, 6:30 p.m.
Midwest League Stories from May 8, 2003
- Yankees Win 8-2 in 10 Innings - Southwest Michigan Devil Rays
- Claus closes in on 100 - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Cougars shut down by the Hawks, 3-0 - Kane County Cougars
- Connolly Pitches 'Caps Back to .500 - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Greater Cedar Rapids Open golf tournament part of Iowa Slam - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Dragons One-Hit by Kernels, Lose 2-1 - Dayton Dragons
- Kernels ace notches 6th win in 1-hit masterpiece - Cedar Rapids Kernels
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