MWL1 Cedar Rapids Kernels

Kernels Fall 7-4 in Series-Finale Marathon

Published on August 10, 2014 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release


CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - The Kernels dropped the series-finale with Kane County 7-4 in 15 innings on Sunday afternoon during the longest game of the season to date. The Cougars and Kernels were knotted at a 4-4 score until the top of the 15th when Kane County plated three runs on two extra-base hits. Ricky Nolasco pitched for a no-decision over 5 2/3 innings where he surrendered three runs on eight hits in a rehab start.

Bryan Haar led the way for the Kernels with a pair of RBIs on a single in the third inning. Ryan Walker scored two runs and collected two hits while teammate Alex Swim went 2-for-6 with a run-batted-in during the losing effort. Chris Mazza, one of six Cedar Rapids pitchers on the afternoon, picked up the loss as he went 2 2/3 innings with three runs allowed.

The contest, which lasted exactly five hours, marked the longest game in innings and time on the season for the Kernels.

Shawon Dunston, Jr., got the Cougars on the scoreboard in the top of the first by scoring on a 5-4-3 double play grounder off the bat of Ben Carhart. Dunston opened the game with a single to shallow right and scored to make it a 1-0 ball game.

The Cougars took a 2-0 advantage with two outs in the third when Dunston connected for his second hit of the game, a home run over the wall in right.

Bryan Haar answered for the Kernels in the bottom of the third with a two-run single down the left field line. Ryan Walker and Chad Christensen, who reached on an error and bunt single, respectively, to open the inning, scored on Haar's drive to tie the score at 2-2.

Cael Brockmeyer regained the lead for Kane County, 3-2, in the top of the fourth when he scored on Jeimer Candelario's one-out double into right field. Brockmeyer scored from first base on the base-hit that was looped off the wall on the right field line.

Ricky Nolasco took the no-decision after 5 2/3 innings on the mound. In his second rehab start, Nolasco surrendered three runs on eight hits and struck out six. Brandon

Bixler took over out of the bullpen and recorded the final out in the sixth on one pitch. Bixler finished after 1 1/3 innings pitched where he allowed one run coming in the seventh inning.

Ben Wells ended the day with a no-decision after five innings pitched in the start. Wells yielded two runs on just three hits, struck out one and walked five on the day. Zak Hermans took the ball to open the sixth and was replaced after running into trouble with a two-run seventh inning.

Engelb Vielma and Ryan Walker began the seventh inning against Hermans with two walks. With no outs in the inning, Christensen then tallied a sacrifice bunt to the pitcher that was thrown over first base for an error. Vielma scored on the play to make it a tie game, 3-3.

Mitch Garver was intentionally walked in the next at-bat before Alex Swim singled with the bases loaded to shallow right field. Walker came across the plate on the run-scoring single to make it a 4-3 Kernels' advantage. The Cougars then went to Michael Heesch out of the bullpen who recorded the final two outs of the seventh on an unassisted double-play by second baseman Daniel Lockhart.

Lockhart tied the game for the Cougars in the top of the eighth after coaxing a leadoff walk. He scored later on Canderlario's ground ball to second base that was fielded for an error to make it 4-4.

The Cougar eighth ended the scoring, and forced the game into extra innings where both clubs would work through their bullpens.

Kane County saw scoreless appearance from Michael Heesch, Francisco Carrillo and Jasvir Rakkar. The trio combined for 5 2/3 shutout innings, struck out seven and allowed just four hits to preserve the 4-4 tie.

The Kernels sent Jake Reed and Jared Wilson into the late-goings with the duo shutting down the Cougars for five innings, collectively. Reed threw two innings and allowed just one hit while Wilson went three innings in extra innings and also surrendered just a single base-hit.

The Cougars delivered the fatal blow in the top of the 15th with one out against Chris Mazza (3-3) out of the bullpen. Jacob Rogers drove in two on a triple to the gap in right-center field to make it a 6-4 game. Cael Brockmeyer made it a three-run game in the next at-bat, driving a double to left that scored Rogers for the 7-4 advantage. Hudson Boyd entered with two down and recorded the final out in the 15th.

Ben Carhart (1-0), who began the game as the designated-hitter for Kane Coutnty, finished the last two innings on the mound and did not allow a hit during his fist pitching appearance of the season for the Cougars to preserve the winning score.

The Kernels will have the day off on Monday before traveling to Beloit to open up a three-game series Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. Following the road trip, the Kernels will return home for a six-game home stand that will feature three games with Peoria and three contests with Quad Cities from August 15-20. The home stand-opener on August 15, against Peoria, will feature Hawkeye Sports Night where the Kernels will be wearing special Hawkeye jerseys that will be sold during an in-game auction. Wear your black and gold to the game as the Kernels celebrate Hawkeye Sports Night with Herky and the Iowa Spirit Squad.

The first 1,000 fans through the gates receive a free Hawkeye mini-football as part of Hawkeye Sports Theme Night. The ball game will also mark Daddy-Daughter Date Night. All dates must pre-register and the event includes: A special cupcake party (provided by Wright Touch Bake Shoppe) with the Glass Slipper Princesses during the 2nd and 3rd innings A carnation for every daughter (must register by August 12 to participate in the cupcake party and to receive the carnation); A walk down the red carpet when entering the stadium; Photos with the Glass Slipper Princesses and Fireworks after the game!

The big night continues with Kernels Friday Mug Club, sponsored by 98.1 KHAK. Buy a 16 oz. souvenir mug filled with your favorite regular draft beer or soda for just $6.00 and get refills at the Kernels concessions stands for just $3.00. Bring the mug back to every Kernels Friday home game for those $3.00 refills.

RHP Ryan Eades will make the start for the Kernels to open the series against Beloit on Tuesday.

Tickets are available at www.kernels.com . You can also visit the Kernels Ticket Office at Veterans Memorial Stadium or call 319-896-7560. Kernels' games are broadcast live on KMRY Radio (93.1 FM/1450 AM) and streamed online at www.kernels.com.

Check out the Cedar Rapids Kernels Statistics

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