MWL1 Cedar Rapids Kernels

Kernels score early, hold off Hot Rods, 9-6

Published on July 15, 2011 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release


CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - The Cedar Rapids Kernels scored nine runs in the first four innings, defeating the Bowling Green Hot Rods, 9-6, to complete the series sweep Friday evening at Perfect Game Field. The sweep was the first for the Kernels since taking three straight from the Kane County Cougars May 1-3.

Dakota Robinson (7-1) picked up the victory in relief, allowing one run and three hits over three innings of work out of the bullpen. Robinson is 4-0 with only one earned run in his last four appearances. Travis Witherspoon and Justin Bass had three hits apiece for the Kernels. Bass drove home three runs in the ballgame.

Eliazer Suero (5-4) picked up the loss for the Hot Rods, tossing three innings and giving up six earned runs on nine hits. Kernels starter A.J. Schugel went 4.1 innings, giving up four earned runs on four hits.

The Kernels jumped on Suero from the get go, scoring four runs in the bottom of the first inning. Ricky Alvarez drove home a run on a groundout to third base, and Rolando Gomez and Jeremy Cruz scored on a single by Justin Bass. Bass eventually crossed home plate thanks to an errant throw by Hot Rods catcher Keith Castillo.

Cedar Rapids continued its barrage of scoring, plating four more runs in the bottom of the third inning to take an 8-0 lead. David Harris scored on a miscue by centerfielder Kevin Kiermaier. Travis Witherspoon doubled home Marcus Nidiffer, and a sacrifice fly by Jeremy Cruz allowed Jean Almanzar to score.

Bowling Green notched its first run of the ballgame in the fourth inning on a RBI single by Steve Tinoco, but the Kernels got that run back in the bottom of the fourth on a Justin Bass triple that scored Ricky Alvarez, giving the team a 9-1 lead.

The Hot Rods started to make the game interesting in the fifth inning, scoring three runs to cut their deficit to five. Robby Price scored on a single by Julio Cedeno, Derek Dietrich scored on a bases loaded walk, and a Steve Tinoco groundout plated Phil Wunderlich. Bowling Green continued to chip away, bringing home another run in the sixth inning on an RBI single by Phil Wunderlich to make the score 9-5.

The Hot Rods threatened in the top of the ninth inning, scoring one run on a Steve Tinoco single, but it wasn't enough to snatch the lead from the Kernels. Daniel Tillman shut down the Hot Rods in the ninth inning, earning his eighth save of the year.

The Kernels continue the home stand by opening up a three game series with the Dayton Dragons on Saturday evening at 6:35 p.m. The day starts with a youth baseball clinic from 10 to 11:30 am for boys and girls ages 5-12. Proceeds from the clinic benefit the Kernels Foundation. A spectacular fireworks show is scheduled for after the game with Dayton, sponsored by Mix 96.5 FM. The game will also be televised locally on KCRG 9.2. Gates open at 5:30 p.m.

Morgan Hawk brings you the action on the radio home of Kernels baseball, 1450 AM and 93.1 FM, KMRY. Fans may also listen online at www.kmryradio.com or www.kernels.com. Tickets are available online at www.kernels.com or by calling the Kernels Ticket Office at 896-7560. Ticket office hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.

Check out the Cedar Rapids Kernels Statistics

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Midwest League Stories from July 15, 2011


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