Kernels prevail in 14 innings, 7-6

June 17, 2009 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release

Roberto Lopez hit a solo home run with two out in the bottom of the 14th inning to give the Kernels a 7-6 win over the Kane County Cougars and move into a first place tie in the MWL Western Division with five games remaining in the first half of the season.

It's the first home run by a Kernel at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium since May 4 and the sixth homer of the year for Lopez. The shot made a winner out of Kernels reliever Nick Pugliese (1-0) who pitched 2.1 innings of relief, allowing a hit and striking out three.

Kane County jumped on Kernels starter Manuel Flores for two runs in the first inning, but the Kernels answered with a five spot in the bottom of the frame. Flores ended up allowing five runs on eight hits and struck out six over 6 innings while Haviland gave up six runs (five earned) on eight hits and struck out six over 5 innings. Reliever Scott Deal (0-2) was tagged with the loss.

Matt Crawford extended his hitting streak to eight games by going 2 for 6 with a triple and 3 RBI. Alexi Amarista went 2 for 7 with a double and Beau Brooks was 2 for 5 with an RBI. Jason Christensen led off the game with a solo HR and Petey Paramore added a solo HR in the third.

The playoff picture in the MWL West tightened up even more as the Kernels and Cougars are tied in first, trailed by Clinton one game back and Peoria 3.5 games out of first with five games remaining. The Kernels host Clinton on Thursday to wrap up the first half, while Kane County hosts Wisconsin and Peoria hosts Quad Cities.

The Kernels and Cougars wrap up their four game series with a noon game on Wednesday, presented by 104.5 KDAT. Gates open at 11 am and the first 1,000 fans receive a free magnet of former Kernel pitcher Ervin Santana, sponsored by Xquisite Limo, Mix 96.5 FM and WMT AM 600. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Kernels Ticket Office at 896-7560 after 10 am on Wednesday.

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Midwest League Stories from June 17, 2009

• Tarsi Shuts Down Lumberkings - Beloit Sky Carp
• Bees Win Final Home Game of First Half - Burlington Bees
• Bandits Sweep in Five Game Series - Quad Cities River Bandits
• Chiefs Take Care of Bandits for Rare Five-Game - Peoria Chiefs
• Painfully Productive - West Michigan Whitecaps
• That One Stings - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
• Chavez, Lugnuts Slam Dragons, 12-7 - Lansing Lugnuts
• Dragons Fall 12-7 in Wild Game - Dayton Dragons
• Great Lakes Wins Sixth & Seventh Straight - Great Lakes Loons
• Hawks Swept By Loons in DH, Series - South Bend Silver Hawks
• Hawks Swept By Loons in DH, Series - South Bend Silver Hawks
• Catch the Chiefs Thursday-Sunday - Peoria Chiefs
• Cougars Maul Kernels 11-3 - Cedar Rapids Kernels
• TinCaps Host Peanut-Free Night at Parkview Field on June 25th - Fort Wayne TinCaps
• Cougars Pummel Kernels in a Rout - Kane County Cougars
• Dragons Send Kuo to Billings - Dayton Dragons
• Dragons GameDay June 17 - Dayton Dragons
• Robles Activated From Disabled List - West Michigan Whitecaps
• Hawks' Parker Lands on DL - South Bend Silver Hawks
• Kernels prevail in 14 innings, 7-6 - Cedar Rapids Kernels

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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