MWL1 Cedar Rapids Kernels

Kernels Clinch Playoff Spot Despite Loss at Quad Cities

Published on August 24, 2014 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release


DAVENPORT, IOWA - Cedar Rapids clinched a playoff spot on Sunday afternoon despite losing at Quad Cities. The Kernels fell 8-6 to the River Bandits at Modern Woodmen Park on a steamy Sunday afternoon. In a back and forth game, the Bandits delivered the last big blow with a four-run eighth inning to collect the win.

However, Peoria lost 4-3 at Clinton. This allowed the Kernels to clinch a playoff spot for the second consecutive season. The Kernels have made the playoffs in their first two seasons as an affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. Cedar Rapids will play either Burlington or Kane County in the opening round.

With the game tied 4-4 in the eighth inning, the Kernels collected three consecutive singles to take a 5-4 advantage. Max Murphy singled through the left side before J.D. Williams picked up his third hit of the day with a single into right. With runners on the corners, Logan Wade's RBI single into right field plated Murphy to put the Kernels on top.

The lead did not last long as the River Bandits responded with four runs in the eighth inning to move ahead 8-5. Reliever Hudson Boyd walked Marc Wik to start the inning. After a fielding error by third baseman Jonatan Hinojosa, Quad Cities had two on with no outs. A.J. Reed drilled a RBI double to right, scoring Wik to tie the game 5-5. Next batter, J.D. Davis powered a three-run home run to deep left field to put the River Bandits in front 8-5. It was the fourth of the season for Davis.

The Kernels (39-22, 70-62) collected back to back doubles with two outs in the ninth inning to make the final score, 8-6. Engelb Vielma doubled to left before he came home on Chad Christensen's RBI double to right field. Christensen finished with four runs batted in on the afternoon.

Boyd (4-4) took the loss for the Kernels, allowing four runs (three earned) in the eighth inning. He struck out one while walking one.

Frederick Tiburcio (4-3) picked up the win for the River Bandits in relief. He allowed one run on two hits over 1 2/3 innings while striking out two and walking none.

Christensen put the Kernels up 3-0 in the third inning with a bases-clearing double to start the scoring. His two-base hit came with two outs after the inning was extended because of a passed ball. Following Zack Larson's single and Jonatan Hinojosa's walk, Vielma reached first base after a strikeout because of catcher Brett Booth's passed ball. With the bases loaded, Christensen then smacked his double off the wall in left-center to plate all runners and put the Kernels up by three.

The Kernels tacked on another run in the fourth inning, making the score 4-0. Williams led off the inning by pulling a double to the left field corner. He reached third base on a fielding error by left fielder Jose Fernandez and scored on Zack Larson's RBI groundout.

Quad Cities (30-32, 65-66) had chances early, but the River Bandits ran into inning-ending double plays in the third and fourth innings. With two on in the third inning, James Ramsay was doubled-off second base on a catch by Zack Larson in right field. In the fourth inning, Jose Fernandez was doubled-off first base after Chase McDonald's towering fly to center was grabbed by Max Murphy.

The River Bandits were able to break through in the fifth inning when Thomas Lindauer hit a three-run home run to left field, cutting the Kernels lead to 4-3. It was Lindauer's fifth home run of the season. It followed singles by A.J. Reed and Ramsay. Bobby Boyd and Ryan Bottger then collected singles to put runners on the corners and end the day for Kernels starter Mat Batts. Brandon Bixler came to the hill and struck out Marc Wik on three pitches, stranding two on base to end the inning.

Bixler retired the first six he faced in relief but allowed consecutive hits in the seventh inning as Quad Cities tied the game 4-4. With two outs in the seventh inning, Lindauer doubled down the left field line and advanced to third base on Bixler's wild pitch. He then scored when Bobby Boyd lined a 3-2 pitch up the middle for a RBI single, tying the game.

Batts went 4 2/3 innings in a no-decision, allowing three runs on six hits. Batts struck out four and walked one. Bixler pitched a total of 2 1/3 innings in relief, allowing one run on two hits while striking out two and walking none.

Blaine Sims started for Quad Cities and went six innings, allowing four unearned runs on four hits. He struck out seven and walking three. Raul Rivera went 1 1/3 innings in relief, allowing one run on four hits while striking out one and walking one.

The Kernels continue the series against the River Bandits in Davenport on Monday night at 7:00 p.m. LHP Stephen Gonsalves (2-2, 1.61) is scheduled to start for the Kernels while RHP Troy Scribner (0-2, 3.31) will make the start for Quad Cities.

The Kernels return home on Wednesday, August 27 to host Kane County at 6:35 p.m. It's a Free Money Wednesday, sponsored by First Federal Credit Union. $500 will be given away the main gates.

Tickets are available at www.kernels.com. You can also visit the Kernels Ticket Office at Veterans Memorial Stadium or call 319-896-7560. Morgan Hawk brings you the action of all Kernels games live on KMRY Radio (93.1 FM/1450 AM) and online at www.kernels.com.

Check out the Cedar Rapids Kernels Statistics

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