MWL1 Cedar Rapids Kernels

Kernels Survive 6-5 Thriller with LumberKings

June 27, 2014 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release


CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - The Cedar Rapids Kernels hung on for a 6-5 victory over the Clinton LumberKings Friday night at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Jon Murphy hit his first homer in a Kernels' uniform to open the third inning of play. Chad Christensen scored two runs and tallied an RBI-triple on the night. Jason Kanzler also picked up an RBI-triple and scored a run while teammate Bo Altobelli added a double. Lewis Thorpe collected his first win as a Cedar Rapids pitcher after tossing 5 1/3 innings. The win allowed Cedar Rapids to halt a four-game losing streak.

Isaiah Yates blasted the LumberKings in front 1-0 in the top of the second with a solo shot over the left field wall. The home run marked his first of the year.

Jon Murphy tied the game 1-1 in the third frame with his first homerun of the season for Cedar Rapids on a ball that flew over the left field wall.

The Kernels continued the scoring into the fourth when they plated two runs to take their first lead, 3-1. Jason Kanzler crushed a triple into the right-center field wall to bring in Chad Christensen and later scored on an RBI-single into left hit by Alex Swim.

Cedar Rapids extended its lead to 6-1 in the fifth off three runs and three hits. Bo Altobelli led off the inning with a double to the left field wall and was later driven in on an RBI-single by Tanner Vavra. Chad Christensen then knocked a triple down the left field line to plate Vavra and later scored on a wild pitch.

Clinton answered in the top of the sixth with two runs to make it a 6-3 ball game. Marcus Littlewood cranked a double down line in left field and was later brought in on an RBI-grounder by Chantz Mackinto right field. Zach Shank scored the second run of the frame on a sacrifice fly to deep right by Justin Seager.

Lewis Thorpe (1-1) exited the mound after his longest tenure of the season, 5 1/3 innings of work. The southpaw allowed three runs on four hits while striking out three and walking two in his first victorious outing of the year.

Alex Muren toed the hill midway through the top of the sixth. The right-hander left the game during the eighth after throwing two full frames. Muren allowed two runs on four hits before exiting the game.

Eddie Campbell(4-6) left the mound for the LumberKings after tossing 6 2/3 innings. The starter surrendered six earned runs on nine hits while striking out six and walking one in the loss.

Reliever Aaron Brooks entered in the bottom of the seventh for Clinton. Brooks finished after 1 1/3 scoreless frames of work where he allowed only a single hit.

The LumberKings added two runs in the eighth to make it a 6-5 close score. Aaron Barbosa began the inning with a double into left field and scored in a fielder's choice ground ball hit by Zach Shank. Justin Seager knocked in Shank on a one-out single to make it a one-run ball game.

Todd Van Steensel relieved for Cedar Rapids in the eighth and closed the game after hurling 1 2/3 scoreless innings. Van Steensel preserved the 6-5 winning effort and surrendered one hit on three strikeouts while picking up his seventh save of the year.

The Kernels host Clinton for game two of the series on Saturday night at 6:35 p.m. It's Twins Night at the ballpark featuring Twins Hall of Fame legend Rod Carew. Twins organist Susan Nelson and mascot TC will be in attendance for Saturday night's contest with post-game fireworks to follow sponsored by Procter & Gamble.

It's a battle of right-handers as RHP Ryan Eades (4-7, 6.08) will toe the rubber for Cedar Rapids while the LumberKings are scheduled to start RHP Carlos Misell (6-7, 4.02). Tickets are available at www.kernels.com. You can also visit the Kernels Ticket Office at Veterans Memorial Stadium or call 319-896-7560. Kernels' games are broadcast live on KMRY Radio (93.1 FM/1450 AM) and streamed online at www.kernels.com.

Check out the Cedar Rapids Kernels Statistics



Midwest League Stories from June 27, 2014


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