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MWL1 Cedar Rapids Kernels

Kernels split with Chiefs

June 26, 2005 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release


The Kernels remained at the .500 mark in the second half by splitting a doubleheader with the Peoria Chiefs on Sunday afternoon in front of 2,830 sun-scorched fans.

Michel Simard hurled a seven-inning complete game in the opener as the Kernels won 4-3 while Peoria used a three-run fifth in the nightcap to eventually claim a 6-4 win.

While not as dominant as he was in his initial start this season, Simard did more than enough to keep the Chiefs at bay in the first game. He limited them to three runs and six hits over seven innings. Skipper Bobby Magallanes came out to the mound to talk with Simard with one out in the seventh but the French-Canadian hurler remained on the hill for the final two outs.

After the Chicago Cubs' minor leaguers got on the board in the first game with one run in the second, the Kernels offense went to work. In the bottom half of the frame Michael Collins led off with a sinking liner to right. He moved to third on a ground out by Richard Giannotti before scoring on a liner to right by Freddy Sandoval. With the team's All-Star third baseman on first, Jordan Renz launched a Jesse Estrada offering over the left field fence for his fourth home run of the year. Renz's shot gave the Kernels a 3-1 lead.

The Kernels picked up the game-winning run in the fourth with Giannotti acting as the catalyst. He led off the inning with a bunt single up the third base line then stole second. With one out, Giannotti waltzed home when Renz smacked a double to left.

Peoria collected a pair of runs in the fifth on a two run shot by Sam Fuld but Simard retired five of the last seven batters he faced in order to improve to 2-0 with the Kernels.

Renz was a perfect 2-for-2 with 3 RBI and a run scored in the opener and Collins was 2-for-3 with a run scored.

In the second game the Chiefs scored the first two runs of the game before Cedar Rapids put up a three spot ion the fourth, including a solo homer by Drew Toussaint to lead off the inning. Warner Madrigal lashed an RBI single to left and scored on an infield single by Jason Ramos to give the Kernels a 3-2 lead.

Peoria countered with three in the fifth with two of those runs coming on a straight line drive home run by former Cubs No. 1 draft choice Ryan Harvey. The shot came off reliever Jamie Douglas, who dropped to 1-2 on the year after relieving Jesse Smith with two outs in the fourth.

The Kernels grabbed one run back in the fifth when Nate Sutton scored on a ground out by Toussaint. Sutton, who reached on a fielding error by shortstop Anthony Granato, stole second and moved to third when Oscar Bernard's throw from home sailed into center.

A homer by Luis Montanez in the top of the seventh after a dropped pop-up behind the plate to Tommy Duenas helped seal the Kernels fate as Peoria closer Jerry Blevins retired the last three batters of the game to earn his 12th save of the year.

The two teams change venues tomorrow and open an abbreviated three-game set at Peoria's O'Brien Field. Cedar Rapids returns to Veterans Memorial Stadium on Thursday to open an eight-game home stand that will feature four games with Lansing and another four with Fort Wayne.

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Midwest League Stories from June 26, 2005


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