MWL1 Cedar Rapids Kernels

Kernels Finish off Sweep of Chiefs to Win Seventh Straight

Published on August 20, 2013 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release


PEORIA, Ill. - The Kernels won their seventh game in a row as they finished off a sweep of the Peoria Chiefs with an 8-3 win on Tuesday night. The Kernels scored five runs in the third inning and added three more runs in the fourth inning for the victory. The Kernels held the Chiefs to a total of six runs during the four-game series.

Peoria took their only lead of the series in the second inning of the finale as they collected three consecutive two-out hits. Breyvic Valera doubled to deep left with two outs. He then scored on Trevor Martin's RBI single to right field, giving the Chiefs the 1-0 lead. Martin advanced to second base on the throw and then came home when Ildemaro Vargas bounced a RBI single into center field to put Peoria in front 2-0.

The lone lead of the series was short-lived as the Kernels tallied five runs right away in the top of the fourth inning, pulling ahead 5-2. Nine men came to the plate in the fourth inning as the Kernels collected three hits and took advantage of two Peoria errors to take the lead for good. Jeremias Pineda drew a walk and Niko Goodrum reached on a fielding error to put two men on. Max Kepler drilled a RBI double to score Pineda, cutting Peoria's lead to 2-1. Adam Brett Walker followed with a two-run single that scored Goodrum and Kepler, giving the Kernels a 3-2 lead. Mike Gonzales then drew a walk, and Travis Harrison reached on a throwing error. Walker scored on the throwing error, putting the Kernels up 4-2. Bo Altobelli's RBI single brought Gonzales home and extended the Kernels lead to 5-2.

The Kernels scored three more runs in their next at-bat to move ahead 8-2. Pineda again jump-started the inning by reaching - this time with a leadoff single. Goodrum singled to put two runners on base. Pineda scored on Kepler's second RBI double of the night as the Kernels pushed ahead 6-2. Gonzales then ripped a two-run double off the wall in right field, scoring Goodrum and Kepler to put Cedar Rapids ahead 8-2.

Peoria scored a run in the sixth inning, trimming the Kernels lead to 8-3. CJ McElroy, Jr. singled and scored on Jordan Walton's RBI single.

Tim Atherton (7-4) picked up the win on the hill as he started and was solid in six innings of work. He allowed three runs on five hits while striking out four. The Kernels bullpen was fantastic, not allowing a runner through the final three innings. Three relievers combined to finish off the game as they all recorded one inning. Brett Lee needed only seven pitches to pick up three groundball outs. Brandon Bixler got a groundout and then struck out two to end the eighth inning. Dallas Gallant struck out the side to finish off the Kernels win. Bixler and Gallant combined to strike out five batters in a row to end the contest. Kernels pitchers did not allow a walk on the night.

Next Game

Wednesday, August 21 @ Quad Cities River Bandits (Astros) - 7:00 p.m.

Cedar Rapids: LHP Miguel Sulbaran (6-4, 3.26) v. Quad Cities: RHP Daniel Minor (7-2, 3.47)

Radio: KMRY 1450 AM/93.1 FM & www.kernels.com

NEXT HOME GAME: Saturday, August 24 v. Peoria Chiefs (Cardinals) - 6:35 p.m.

Promotions: Post-Game Fireworks, presented by Cargill/Special Olympics!

Tickets: Available at www.kernels.com or at the Kernels Ticket Office at Veterans Memorial Stadium, 319-896-7650 (Monday-Friday 10-5, Saturday 10-2)

Check out the Cedar Rapids Kernels Statistics

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