Kernels score twice late to beat Clinton, 4-3
Published on July 7, 2011 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release
Clinton, IA - The Kernels scored two runs in the 9th inning to come from behind and down the Clinton LumberKings 4-3. With the Kernels trailing 3-2 going into the 9th inning, David Harris led off and reached 1st base on a fielding error by Clinton's 2nd baseman Stefen Romero. Brandon Decker then singled to put runners at the corners. Jean Almanzar's RBI single scored Harris to tie the game 3-3. With two outs in the inning, Rolando Gomez delivered a RBI single to score Decker and give the Kernels a 4-3 lead.
Daniel Tillman came to the mound in the 9th inning and pitched a 1-2-3 inning to pick up his sixth save. Dakota Robinson (5-1) picked up the win on the mound. He pitched two scoreless innings in relief for the Kernels, allowing no hits while striking out one. The Kernels scored in the 1st inning for the fifth straight ballgame, taking a 1-0 lead when a Ricky Alvarez RBI single scored Jeremy Cruz.
Clinton took a 2-1 lead in the 2nd inning. Mike McGee doubled home Kalian Sams, and Jetsy Extrano singled home McGee to give the LumberKings a one run lead. The Kernels evened the score 2-2 in the 5th inning. Almanzar and Carlos Lugo singled to put runners at the corners. With one out, Almanzar scored when Chris Giovinazzo beat the throw to 1st base on a potential double play ball.
Clinton took a 3-2 lead in the 7th inning. Kernels starter P.J. Jang hit back to back LumberKings to begin the inning. With runners at 2nd and 3rd base, Mike McGee's RBI sacrifice fly scored Romero. Jang officially went six innings for the Kernels, allowing three runs on three hits while striking out five and walking one.
Clinton starter Anthony Fernandez went 7.1 innings, allowing two runs on seven hits. He struck out seven and walked one. Keli'I' Zablan (0-1) took the loss, going one innings and allowing two unearned runs on three hits. Jessie Nava pitched 0.2 inning, allowing no runs on one hit. Jeremy Cruz led the Kernels offense by going 4-5 with one run scored. Rolando Gomez and Jean Almanzar both had two hits and one RBI.
The Kernels continue the series at Clinton on Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. The Kernels return home on Saturday against Peoria. 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
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Midwest League Stories from July 7, 2011
