MWL1 Cedar Rapids Kernels

Kernels drop finale

Published on September 6, 2004 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release


CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Howie Kendrick had one hit in four at-bats Monday at Veterans Memorial Stadium. But that was enough to earn him the Midwest League batting title.

Despite finishing 41 plate appearances shy of the minimum necessary to qualify for the title, Kendrick earned the crown. Adding 41 at-bats to his total, as provided for in the exception to Rule 10.23 of the Baseball Rules, lowers Kendrick's batting average from .367 to .325. But that average is still better than the .322 sported by Peoria's Brendan Ryan, who did not play in the Chiefs' game Sunday at Beloit. West Michigan's Juan Francia, who was 1-for-3 against the Kernels, finished at .320.

Kendrick's championship batting average will be reported as .367, which also is a club record.

Kendrick, who missed two months of the season because of a strained groin, is the second Kernel in as many seasons to win the batting title. Alberto Callaspo led the league in 2003 with a .327 average.

Kendrick winning the batting title was the highlight of Monday's regular-season finale. West Michigan scored three runs in each of the second, fourth and sixth innings and eased past the Kernels, 9-2, before a crowd of 2,744.

Warner Madrigal and Michael Collins had two hits apiece for the Kernels. West Michigan's Danilo Sanchez had three hits and three RBI. Kelly Hunt hit his 21st home run. The Whitecaps won the Eastern Division second half title with the win and Lansing's loss to Kane County.

Daniel Zell (5-4) earned the win. Kevin Jepsen (8-10) took the loss.

The Kernels finished the second half with a 33-37 record, but were 75-64 overall. They meet Clinton (39-31, 74-64) in the first round of league playoffs on Wednesday at Clinton. Peoria (37-33, 75-64) meets Kane County (40-30, 83-56) in the other half of the Western Division bracket.

West Michigan (40-30, 69-70) meets Lansing (39-31, 77-63) in one half of the Eastern Division bracket. Fort Wayne (39-31, 72-68) plays South Bend (35-35, 77-63) in the other half.

NIBLETS – The Midwest League takes today off. The playoffs open Wednesday. The Kernels host Clinton in Game 2 Thursday at 6:30 p.m. If a Game 3 is necessary, it will be played Friday at Veterans Memorial Stadium at noon. ... The Kernels' final official attendance was 177,929, third highest in club history.

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Midwest League Stories from September 6, 2004


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