MWL1 Cedar Rapids Kernels

Kernels Top Cougars with Pair of Home Runs

Published on August 9, 2014 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release


CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - The Kernels moved past Kane County 3-2 on Saturday evening with the aid left field home runs off the bats of Logan Wade and Max Murphy. Wade led off the fourth inning with his sixth long ball of the year, a solo shot to deep left, and Max Murphy collected a two-run homer to the left side in the fifth inning to extend his hitting streak to 11 consecutive contests. Lewis Thorpe was brilliant over six innings of one-run baseball and as he picked up his third victory for Cedar Rapids along with seven strikeouts. Joe Mauer went 2-for-4 on the night with a pair of singles and totaled his second straight multi-hit game for the Kernels.

Dallas Gallant allowed one run in two innings of relief for the Kernels as Nick Burdi preserved the score in the ninth to collect his fourth save out of the bullpen. The Kernels moved back into a first-place tie with Kane County at a record of 28-10 in the second half with the win. The 3-2 final score tallied the third straight one-run finish for the two clubs.

Logan Wade lifted the Kernels in front in the fourth when he lifted the 1-0 pitch over the wall in left field for a solo home run. The lead-off long ball marked Wade's sixth homer of the year and gave the Kernels a 1-0 advantage.

Kane County answered immediately in the fifth when Jeffrey Baez led off the frame with a double into left-center field. Daniel Lockhart then pushed a sacrifice-bunt into the glove of Lewis Thorpe which was thrown over first base for an error. Baez tied the game, 1-1, on the play, but Lockhart was thrown out by Logan Wade attempting to advance to second after the error for the inning's first out.

Max Murphy powered the Kernels back into the lead with a two-run home run in the fifth with no outs. Alex Swim singled to right to open the inning and was brought across on Murphy's second homer as a Kernel for the 3-1 edge.

Lewis Thorpe (3-2) took the win after six innings where allowed one unearned run on just three hits. Thorpe's 13th start also featured seven strikeouts and two walked batsmen. Dallas Gallant took over in relief for Cedar Rapids and allowed one run to the Cougars in the seventh over his two innings on the mound.

The Cougars made it a 3-2 game in the seventh with a successful double-steal that sent Lockhart across the plate. Lockhart began the frame with a triple into right-center field and scored with two outs when Carlos Penalver triggered a throw to the bag at second on the stolen base. David Garner then came on pitched through a scoreless bottom of the seventh for Kane County where he struck out one and surrendered one hit.

Cedar Rapids threatened in the bottom of the eighth with a lead-off single by Joe Mauer and back-to-back walks from Mitch Garver and Bryan Haar, but were unable to add insurance in the inning. Nick Burdi toed the rubber in the ninth for the Kernels and allowed just one hit en route to his fourth save of the year. Burdi preserved the 3-2 score in his lone inning out of the bullpen and allowed one hit while striking out one to secure the victory.

The Kernels will take on Kane County in the series-finale on Sunday with the first pitch scheduled for 2:05 p.m. It's a Run the Bases Sunday, sponsored by Planet X. After every Sunday home game, kids (and adults) can run the bases, play catch on the field and get autographs from the Kernels, sponsored by Planet X with media sponsor 104.5 KDAT. Enjoy the balloon artistry of Papa Balloon on the concourse and face painting by Kennedy.

Fans can also enjoy the last Travel Advisors Baseball Bingo, co-sponsored by the Radisson near Mall of America for a chance to win a trip to Minneapolis and see a Twins game. Fans are encouraged to ride their bikes to the game on Sunday. There will be secure bike parking inside the stadium and those riding their bikes to the game can register to win prizes from New Belgium Brewing and Fleck Sales.

LHP Lewis Thorpe gets the nod for the Kernels while the Cougars will send LHP Tyler Ihrig to the mound in game three.

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

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Midwest League Stories from August 9, 2014


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