MWL1 Cedar Rapids Kernels

Kernels rally past West Michigan for milestone win

Published on May 9, 2003 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release


CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Ransel Melgarejo's sixth-inning RBI single broke a 2-2 tie and sent the Cedar Rapids Kernels past the West Michigan Whitecaps, 5-2, Friday night in a Midwest League baseball game played before a paid crowd of 2,341 at New Veterans Memorial Stadium.

The win was career victory No. 100 for Kernels Manager Todd Claus, who guided the Kernels to an 81-58 mark and a playoff berth a year ago in his first season as a minor league manager. Claus' career record is 100-73, a .578 winning percentage. The all-time leader for career wins by a Cedar Rapids manager is Belden Hill, who won more than 800 games in 13 ½ seasons between 1896 and 1914.

The Kernels (19-15) won their third straight game and improved to 13-7 at home. West Michigan (17-18) fell to 8-10 on the road.

West Michigan took a 1-0 lead in the first inning, pushing across an unearned run on third baseman Matt Brown's two-out throwing error.

The Kernels tied the game, 1-1, in the bottom of the first. B.J. Weed spanked a lead-off double and scored on Alberto Callaspo's single.

West Michigan reclaimed the lead in the top of the second on Mike Rabelo's RBI single.

That's the way the score stood until the sixth inning, when the Kernels finally solved West Michigan starter Matt Pender (1-2), scoring four runs to erase a 2-1 deficit. Six consecutive batters reached base after Caleb Maher grounded out leading off the inning. Jake Mathis singled and Alex Dvorsky's double moved him to third. A wild pitch scored Mathis and moved Dvorsky to third. Brown walked, sending Pender to the showers. Matt Parris came on and was greeted by Melgarejo's RBI single that put the Kernels ahead, 3-2. Weed's single scored Brown and Alberto Callaspo's single scored Melgarejo. Weed was thrown out at third base on the play. Erick Aybar struck out to end the inning.

The Kernels got a third straight solid pitching performance, this time from right-hander Rafael Rodriguez (2-2), who allowed only five hits and one earned run in seven innings. It was the third straight start of seven innings by a Kernels starter, but only the seventh of the season.

Hayden Gliemmo and Austin Bilke pitched the final two innings. Bilke picked up his fourth save, but his first since April 17.

The Kernels had 12 hits, the fourth time in five games they have had 10 or more hits. Weed had three hits, bumping his average from .327 to .339. Callaspo and Dvorsky had two hits apiece.

Next game – Saturday, West Michigan at Kernels, 5 p.m. Radio – The Zone ESPN Radio 1600-AM.

UPCOMING HOME GAMES

Saturday – vs. West Michigan, 5 p.m. 100.7 The Fox Tips for Trips Night. Breast Cancer Awareness Night. Everyone entering the stadium will get a chance to win a trip to Anaheim to see an Angels game and visit Disneyland, including round-trip airfare. People can earn extra tickets by tipping 100.7 The Fox disc jockeys, who will be vending beverages. The tip money goes to the American Cancer Society, on the eve of the Big Bang, baseball's effort to help wipe out breast cancer.

Sunday – vs. West Michigan, 2 p.m. Mercy Women's Center Heart to Heart Baseball Cap Day. The first 1,000 women age 18-older will receive a free navy baseball cap on Mother's Day, courtesy of the Mercy Women's Center and its Heart to Heart program. It also is another Krispy Kreme Sundae, with the delightful treats featuring Krispy Kreme doughnuts, Well's Blue Bunny ice cream and chocolate or strawberry toppings for only $2.00.

Monday – vs. West Michigan, 6:30 p.m.

Check out the Cedar Rapids Kernels Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Midwest League Stories from May 9, 2003


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.

OurSports Central