Kernels Sweep Snappers with 10-3 Win
August 15, 2014 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release
BELOIT, Wis. - The Kernels completed a three-game sweep over the Beloit Snappers at Pohlman Field on Thursday night with a 10-3 win. Cedar Rapids scored five runs in the seventh inning and totaled 14 hits to pick up their fifth series sweep of the series. The Kernels won 10 of 15 games against the Snappers this season, going 7-2 at Pohlman Field.
Mitch Garver collected three hits and drove in three runs on the night. Max Murphy homered for the second straight night. He now has four homers in 16 games as a Kernel, reaching base in all 16 games.
The Kernels (31-21, 62-60) now head home for a crucial three-game series v. Peoria, beginning Friday night at 6:35 p.m. The Kernels hold a four-game cushion over the Chiefs for a playoff spot with 18 games remaining. Cedar Rapids also leads Wisconsin by two games for the second playoff spot and trail Kane County by one game for the division lead.
Cedar Rapids and Beloit traded runs in the first inning. Alex Swim's RBI single plated Logan Wade in the top of the first inning to give the Kernels the early lead. Beloit tied the game 1-1 in the bottom half of the inning when Matt Chapman doubled home BJ Boyd.
The two southpaw starters - Mat Batts for the Kernels and Matt Stalcup for the Snappers - settled in after the first inning, not allowing another run until the sixth inning. At one point, Stalcup retired 10 Kernels in a row. However, Stalcup took the loss and Batts recorded the win after the Kernels scored twice in the sixth inning.
Batts (1-0) went six innings in his third start for the Kernels, second at Pohlman Field. The lefty allowed one run on five hits while striking out seven and walking one. Stalcup (4-4) allowed three runs on six hits over 5 2/3 innings in the defeat.
The Kernels jumped in front with the 3-1 advantage in the sixth inning when Swim came through with another RBI single. This time, he scored Chad Christensen. Swim later scored on a RBI triple by J.D. Williams, his third extra-base hit in his last two games.
The five-run, 10-batter seventh inning pushed the lead to 8-1. The first five hitters all reached base. Engelb Vielma and Jonatan Hinojosa both singled before Logan Wade reached on an error to load the bases. Then, Christensen and Garver connected for consecutive two-run doubles to score four. Garver plated the fifth run when he scored on a wild pitch.
The lead jumped to 9-1 in the eighth inning when Garver came through again with a RBI single. It plated Hinojosa, who singled earlier. Beloit's BJ Boyd's RBI groundout in the bottom of the inning scored Branden Cogswell to make the score 9-2.
Murphy homered to straight-away center to lead off the top of the ninth inning, increasing the lead 10-2. Beloit got on the board in the bottom oof the ninth inning when Michael Soto's RBI sacrifice fly plated Tyler Marincov, making the score final score 10-3.
Brian Gilbert went two innings and allowed one run for the Kernels in relief while Brandon Bixler allowed a run in one inning of work. Both struck out two and walked one each.
Tyler Vail, Sam Roberts, and Joe Michaud all came out of the bullpen for the Snappers, all allowing at least one run. Vail allowed five runs (four earned) in 2/3 inning during the fifth.
The Kernels return home on Friday night at 6:35 p.m. to take on the Peoria Chiefs, the Midwest League affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. It's Hawkeye Sports Night so fans are invited to wear black and gold as Herky and the Iowa Spirit Squad will be in attendance. The first 1,000 fans through the gates will receive a free Hawkeye mini football. The Kernels will wear Hawkeye themed jerseys, presented by the Linn County I-Club. The jerseys will be sold via a silent auction during the game. It's also Daddy-Daughter Date Night. In addition, it's Friday Mug Club Night, sponsored by 98.1 KHAK. Fans can buy a 16 oz. souvenir mug filled with their favorite draft beer or soda for $6.00 and get refills for $3.00.
Midwest League Stories from August 15, 2014
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- Kernels Sweep Snappers with 10-3 Win - Cedar Rapids Kernels
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