Kernels fall to Clinton in wild game, 10-8
Published on June 10, 2012 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - The Clinton LumberKings scored 9 runs with 2 outs en route to a 10-8 victory over the Cedar Rapids Kernels on Sunday. Clinton improved to 23-39, while Cedar Rapids fell to 27-36. A 2-out, 3-run home run in the 8th inning by Clinton's Ji-Man Choi particularly doomed the Kernels.
Choi's shot came after he was involved in an altercation in the 5th inning with the Kernels Ryan Jones. After a single, Jones was caught in a rundown trying to stretch his hit to two bases. The first baseman Choi eventually applied an aggressive tag to Jones' face, to which Jones took exception. After the benches cleared - although no punches were thrown - both Choi and Jones initially remained in their respective lineups. However, the Kernels left fielder was eventually ejected from the dugout after exchanging words with the home plate umpire Lee Meyers.
The Kernels would score later in that 5th inning when Frazier Hall doubled followed by an Andy Workman triple, which gave the Kernels a 6-5 lead at the time.
The score was tied 6-6 when the Kernels got a run bottom of the 7th inning. Cowart walked, moved to second on a Hall single, and took third on a wild pick-off attempt by Clinton catcher Mike Dowd. A Workman bloop into centerfield scored Cowart to make the score 7-6 Cedar Rapids.
However the LumberKings scored 4 in the top of the 8th to take their final lead on a Mario Yepez RBI single, followed by the Choi home run. The Kernels had a lead from the 2nd inning through the 5th inning due to a quick response after the LumberKings scored on a sacrifice fly in the top of the 2nd.
Chevy Clarke hit a 1-out double to score Frazier Hall and move Matt Scioscia to third base. After a Carlos Lugo walk, Wendell Soto hit an opposite field blooper that rolled into the right field corner and scored Scioscia and Clarke. Lugo added the last run of the inning as part of three straight half-innings with plays at the plate.
The Kernels catcher Lugo dealt with all three plays at the plate, even as a base runner in one instance. Lugo tagged out Jabari Blash at home when the LumberKing attempted to score on a 2nd-inning groundball. Cowart threw home, and Lugo absorbed the contact of the 6-5, 224 pound Blash for the out.
Lugo scampered home from third base on a wild pitch to score the Kernels fourth run of the bottom of the 2nd. Clinton catcher Mike Dowd had the ball in his mitt and dove towards home plate, but Lugo elected not to slide and stepped over the outstretched arm of Dowd to put the Kernels up 4-1.
The Kernels catcher made one more play at the plate in the top of the 3rd. Chevy Clarke bobbled a base hit in centerfield, and Clinton lead-off hitter Nate Melendres tried to capitalize. But Ryan Jones threw to cut-off man Kevin Moesquit who threw home to Lugo, and the catcher smartly tagged Melendres as he walked to the dugout because the Clinton centerfielder missed home plate.
Wendell Soto added a Kernels run in the 4th inning on a solo home run over the left-center field wall. The final Cedar Rapids run came on a Workman sacrifice fly in the 9th that scored Cowart. Workman and Soto both had 3-RBI Sundays.
Joshua Corrales (3-0) earned the victory for Clinton in relief, while Aaron Meade (0-3) took the loss, also in relief. Stephen Shackleford earned his 2nd save of the season for Clinton.
The Kernels conclude the series with Clinton on Monday at 12:05 p.m. Take a break from the office and enjoy our Noon Game Concession Special. For just $7.00, you receive a sandwich, chips or popcorn, and a 20 oz. bottled soda or 16 oz. domestic draft beer! It's also Good Old Day at the Ballpark, presented by Home Instead Senior Care. Also, Skyy Dogs USA and Rockin' Ray will be back to entertain fans during the game. Gams open at 10:30 a.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.
Midwest League Stories from June 10, 2012
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