MWL1 Cedar Rapids Kernels

Kernels Lose Finale to River Bandits

August 20, 2014 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release


CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - The Kernels saw their eight-game winning streak come to an end on Wednesday night with a 5-2 loss to the Quad Cities River Bandits. Quad Cities used a three-run sixth inning for the victory. The Kernels now hit the road for the next six games, traveling to Burlington for a 6:30 p.m. game on Thursday evening.

Quad Cities (27-31, 62-65) took a 2-0 lead with a pair of two-out, run-scoring singles in the second inning. James Ramsay's RBI single snuck into center field, plating Ryan Bottger for the first run. Bottger had singled to begin the inning and reached second base on an errant pickoff attempt by Kernels starting pitcher Stephen Gonsalves. Ramsay stole second base and scored on a RBI single to center by Bobby Boyd.

The Kernels (36-22, 67-61) pushed an unearned run across in the bottom of the second inning, making the score 2-1. Mitch Garver reached on a fielding error by third baseman J.D. Davis and took second base when shortstop Dayne Parker dropped the ball on a fielder's choice by Alex Swim. Garver came home on Max Murphy's RBI double down the left field line.

Cedar Rapids tied the game 2-2 in the bottom of the fifth inning. Michael Quesada started the inning with a double the opposite way. After a sacrifice bunt by Tanner Vavra, Engelb Vielma's RBI single into center plated Quesada to knot the score.

Gonsalves went five innings for the Kernels, allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits in a no-decision. He struck out seven while walking two.

Quad Cities went ahead 5-2 with three runs in the sixth inning against reliever Hudson Boyd. Bottger began the inning with a base on balls and scored on a RBI double down the left field line by Dayne Parker. James Ramsay then doubled to left, putting runners at second and third. Both scored on Jose Fernandez's two-run single to left field, putting the River Bandits up by three.

Boyd (4-3) went one inning for the loss and allowed three runs on three hits, walking two and striking out none. Chris Mazza went two scoreless innings in relief for the Kernels. He allowed three hits while walking none and striking out four. Brian Gilbert pitched a perfect ninth inning with two strikeouts.

Chris Lee (7-6) started for the River Bandits and went five innings for the victory, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits. He struck out one and walked one on the evening. Troy Scribner pitched the final four innings for Quad Cities for his first save. He allowed no runs and only one hit while striking out eight and walking two.

The Kernels now begin a six-game stretch of road commuter games, beginning Thursday night at Burlington. The series opener against the Bees begins at 6:30 p.m. at Community Field. LHP Lewis Thorpe (3-2, 3.97) is scheduled to make the start for the Kernels while Burlington will counter with RHP Victor Alcantara (6-6, 3.87).

The Kernels return home on Wednesday, August 27 to host Kane County at 6:35 p.m. It's a Free Money Wednesday, sponsored by First Federal Credit Union. $500 will be given away the main gates.

Tickets are available at www.kernels.com. You can also visit the Kernels Ticket Office at Veterans Memorial Stadium or call 319-896-7560. Morgan Hawk brings you the action of all Kernels games live on KMRY Radio (93.1 FM/1450 AM) and online at www.kernels.com.

Check out the Cedar Rapids Kernels Statistics



Midwest League Stories from August 20, 2014


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