MWL1 Cedar Rapids Kernels

Kernels beat Peoria, 7-6, in front of largest home crowd since August 2007

Published on May 19, 2012 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release


CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - In front of the largest home crowd since August 2007, the Kernels outlasted Peoria 7-6 to win their 2nd game in 3 days.

5,258 fans saw more than satisfactory baseball from the home side, which hit safely 10 times - and played error-free defense - en route to Cedar Rapids' (19-23) 1-run win.

Peoria (19-24) looked on the verge of a blow-out in the top of the 2nd, scoring 4 runs on 2 hits. The most devastating swing came from the bat of Pin-Chieh Chen, who drove a 3-run home run over the right field wall.

But the Kernels took little time to recover. The Kernels first 5 hitters of the bottom of the 2nd reached base, and all scored on separate plays. First, Frazier Hall doubled and Andy Workman singled before Peoria 3B Wes Darvill committed two errors on one play - first bobbling the groundball from Trevor Hairgrove, then overthrowing first base on the resulting toss. The miscues scored Hall.

Matt Scioscia plated the inning's second run on an infield single, sliding into first safely while Wokman scored. A Kyler Burke balk allowed Hairgrove to score after that, followed by a Kevin Moesquit sacrifice fly bringing home Scioscia. Finally, Ryan Jones - who now has an RBI in 2 consecutive games - hit a double to score Chevy Clarke and give the Kernels a 5-4 lead.

The 3rd inning had the Kernels score when Scioscia grounded into a no-out double play, but Hall came in for his 2nd run of the game from third base, giving Cedar Rapids a 6-4 lead.

Kernel's starter Austin Wood thrived outside of the off 2nd inning. Outside of the off-frame, he allowed just 4 hits and struck out two. The 6-4 righty went 6.0 innings in a no decision.

Wood left the game with a 2-run lead, but a 3-hit Peoria 7th inning erased his potential win. On the final out of the inning, though, Carlos Lugo withstood a play-at-the-plate hit from Peoria's Ryan Cuneo to preserve a tie game.

The calm clutch by Lugo proved even more important when the Kernels then took the lead for good in the bottom half of the 7th. Moesquit stretched a single into two bases after a slow throw from the outfield - the third Chief error of the evening - then moved to third on a Jones sacrifice fly. Moesquit then scored his first run of the game - and the decisive run - on a Kaleb Cowart fielder's choice. The RBI was Cowart's 31st of the season - 2nd most in the Midwest League.

Michael Johnson (2-3) earned his second victory of the season, despite giving up the 2-run lead in the 7th inning. Stephen Tromblee then retired 6 of 7 hitters he faced to earn his second save of the season.

The Kernels continue the series with Peoria on Sunday afternoon at 2:05 p.m. It's the rescheduled Kandy Drop! After the game a helicopter will drop candy onto the field for kids to pick up! Before the game fans can get autographs from the Kernels on the concourse. During the game you can play Travel Advisor Baseball Vacation Bingo for a chance to win a trip to Anaheim to see the Angels play in 2013! Enjoy the balloon artistry of Papa Balloon and face painting by Funny Face Designs by Lori. Storybook princesses Snow White and Sleeping Beauty, presented by Glass Slipper Entertainment, will be on hand, as well as world-class juggler Doug Sayers. Gates open at 1:00 p.m.

Morgan Hawk brings you the action on the radio home of Kernels baseball, KMRY. Listen at 1450 AM or 93.1 FM, as well as www.kernels.com and www.kmryradio.com. Tickets are available online at www.kernels.com or by calling the Kernels box office at 896-7560. Ticket office hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. The current home stand continues through Monday, May 21st.

Check out the Cedar Rapids Kernels Statistics

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



Midwest League Stories from May 19, 2012


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