Kernels get lippy in extra inning win
June 1, 2005 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release
Michael Collins' sharp grounder up the middle in the 10th inning found the lip of the infield and skipped over the head of Wisconsin shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera to give the Kernels a 4-3 victory over the Timber Rattlers on Wednesday night.
A crowd of 2,591 die-hard fans stuck around to watch Alexi Casilla and Sean Rodriguez lead off the tenth with back-to-back base hits. After Wisconsin reliever Craig James recorded a pair of strikeouts, Collins rapped a sharp ground ball up the middle that appeared as if it would result in a fielder's choice to end the inning. Instead the ball hit the edge of the grass infield and ricocheted into center allowing Casilla to score all the way from second base with the game-winning run.
Chris Waters picked up his first win of the season in relief of starter Rafael Rodriguez. Rodriguez went eight innings and limited the Timber Rattlers to just six hits and three runs before giving way to Waters for the ninth. Waters held Wisconsin to just one hit over the final two frames.
Casilla was 3-for-4 at the plate with three runs scored but wasn't the only Kernel to make noise at the dish on Wednesday night. Drew Toussaint and Collins were both 2-for-5 with Toussaint launching a solo home run in the sixth to give the Kernels a 3-2 lead.
Freddy Sandoval helped put the Kernels on the board with a sharp grounder to second base in the first inning that ate up Jack Arroyo and allowed Casilla to score. Casilla crossed the plate two innings later when a sacrifice attempt by Sean Rodriguez resulted in a throwing error.
Rafael Rodriguez may have solidified his spot on the Midwest League All-Star squad with his sterling outing. He entered the night 4-2 with a 2.94 earned run average and though his ERA rose to an even 3.00, his nine strikeouts gave him 65 in 60 innings pitched.
The two teams continue their four game series with a special noon starting time. Fans attending the afternoon contest can enjoy $2.00 bratwurst all game long courtesy of Z102.9 KZIA.
Midwest League Stories from June 1, 2005
- Kernels get lippy in extra inning win - Cedar Rapids Kernels
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