MWL1 Cedar Rapids Kernels

Kernels Rally in Ninth to Beat Beloit

Published on July 10, 2015 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release


BELOIT, Wis. - The Kernels scored three runs in the ninth inning to come from behind and beat the Beloit Snappers 6-4 on Thursday night at Pohlman Field. Nick Gordon's two-run single with two outs in the ninth inning put the Kernels in front.

Beloit (6-9, 32-53) led 4-3 going into the ninth inning before the Kernels (10-5, 51-34) scored three. Gordon's line drive hit into left field scored both Pat Kelly and Rafael Valera, allowing the Kernels to jump ahead 5-4. Snapper left fielder Joe Bennie dove for the liner, and umpire J.C. Velez ruled a 'no catch.' Beloit manager Fran Riordan came out to argue the call, which would have ended the game if it were reversed. Riordan was eventually ejected from the game. Gordon then stole second base and scored on Edgar Corcino's RBI single to put the Kernels up 6-4.

The ninth inning rally started with one out when Brian Navarreto reached on a missed catch error by first baseman Sandber Pimentel, one of four errors on the night for the Snappers. Valera then singled through the right side when pinch-runner Kelly headed towards second. Valera stole second base to put two in scoring position for Gordon with two outs.

Gordon's single was part of a two-hit night for the shortstop. He extended his hitting streak to 11 games and pushed his on-base streak to 14 games. His 14 consecutive game on-base streak now matches Tanner English for the longest by a Kernels player this season.

Corcino collected four hits on the evening, following up on his three-hit game on Wednesday night. It was his first four-hit game of the season.

Trevor Hildenberger worked a perfect ninth inning, with two strikeouts, for his 11th save of 2015. Randy LeBlanc (6-1) retired all six batters he faced, striking out a pair, for the victory in relief.

Koby Gauna (2-1) suffered the loss for the Snappers, allowing three unearned runs on four hits over two innings.

Beloit jumped in front 1-0 with an unearned run in the second inning. Pimentel began the inning with a double to left-center. He scored after two errors and a wild pitch. Max Kuhn followed Pimentel by reaching on Nick Gordon's throwing error. With one out, Iolana Akau reached on T.J. White's fielding error. With the bases loaded and one away, Ethan Mildren's wild pitch scored Pimentel for the game's first run.

Pimentel's second double of the game scored Beloit's second run in the third inning, making the score 2-0. Joe Bennie began the inning with a walk and scored on Pimentel's two-out double to right-center.

Cedar Rapids scored three times in the fourth inning and took a 3-2 advantage. The Kernels collected four hits, stole three bases and took advantage of one error by Beloit. Gordon picked up the team's first hit of the night when he singled to center at the start of the inning. He then stole second base and took third when Corcino reached on an infield single to put runners on the corners with no outs. Corcino then stole second base. On the play, an errant throw by Snappers shortstop Yairo Munoz to third base allowed Gordon to score the inning's first run. The throwing error also moved Corcino to third. He scored on Zack Larson's RBI groundout to short, tying the game 2-2.

Jorge Fernandez's solo home run to right field gave the Kernels the 3-2 lead in the fourth inning. It was Fernandez's third shot of the season. All three have come from the left side of the plate and two of three have come at Pohlman Field. T.J. White followed Fernandez with a single and a stolen, base, the team's third in the fourth inning.

Beloit retook the lead with two runs in the sixth inning, making the score 4-3. Jose Brizuela's RBI triple to deep right scored Kuhn, who singled with one out. Brizuela's triple was nearly caught by Corcino in right, but the ball fell on the warning track. Brizuela later scored on Justin Higley's RBI single to left as the Snappers went up by one.

Ethan Mildren started for the Kernels and allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits for a no-decision. He struck out five and walked two. Heath Filmyer also earned a no-decision for the Snappers, allowing three runs on four hits over four innings. Jose Torres pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings in relief. Carlos Navas retired the only batter he faced after the Kernels took the lead in the ninth inning.

The Kernels stole five bases on the night, matching a season-high.

Cedar Rapids opens a four-game set at Kane County on Friday night at 6:30 p.m. against the Cougars, the Midwest League affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks. RHP Zack Tillery (5-3, 2.31) gets the start for the Kernels against Kane County's RHP Ethan Elias (8-3, 2.61).

The Kernels return home on Wednesday, July 15 as they host the Burlington Bees for a three-game series. It's Free Money Wednesday, presented by Western Fraternal Life. Western Fraternal Life will give away $500 at the main gates, with $100 being the top cash prize. It's also Hall of Fame Night as the Kernels welcome the Cedar Rapids Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2015 and recognize them before the game, along with members of past Cedar Rapids teams.

Tickets are available online 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 Kernels games live on KMRY Radio (93.1 FM/1450 AM) and online at www.kernels.com.

Check out the Cedar Rapids Kernels Statistics

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