Kernels Top Timber Rattlers 6-3, Clinch Midwest League West Division Second Half Title
September 5, 2023 - Midwest League (MWL)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release
Appleton, WI - Kala'i Rosario and Kyler Fedko crush home runs, and the Cedar Rapids bullpen tosses 5.1 scoreless innings as the Kernels take the series opener over Wisconsin 6-3 to clinch the Midwest League West Division Second Half title.
After scoring multiple runs in each of the final four innings in the series finale against Lake County, the Kernels offense picked up right where it left off on Tuesday. With one out in the top of the first inning, Emmanuel Rodriguez ripped a triple and was on for Kala'i Rosario, who crushed his 20th home run of the season, a two-run shot over the wall in left to lift ahead Cedar Rapids 2-0.
In the bottom of the first, Wisconsin rallied back. Two singles and a walk loaded the bases for Hendry Mendez, who looped an RBI single to cut the Cedar Rapids lead to 2-1. The next batter, Robert Moore, then hit into a double play, but a second run came home to tie it at 2-2.
That was the score until the top of the third inning. To lead off the frame, Kyler Fedko smashed a solo home run to instantly lift the Kernels back ahead 3-2. Noah Miller and Rodriguez then took back-to-back walks, and on an error, Miller scored, and Rodriguez moved to third. The next batter, Jorel Ortega, then lifted a sacrifice fly to score Rodriguez to extend the lead to 5-2.
In the bottom of the inning, Wisconsin again answered. Two singles and a popout put two on for Matt Wood, who got the Timber Rattler a run back with an RBI single to make it a 5-3 game.
In the top of the fifth, the Kernels extended the advantage to three. A Fedko walk began the inning, then the next batter, Miller, scored Fedko all the way from first on a double to give the Kernels the 6-3 lead, which would be the final.
From the fifth inning on, the Cedar Rapids bullpen preserved the three-run lead all the way until the end. Gabriel Yanez, Malik Barrington and John Stankiewicz went the final 5.1 innings in relief of starter Andrew Morris and combined to allow no runs on just four hits and two walks compared to six strikeouts.
The win for Cedar Rapids (81-46) cliches the Second Half Title for the Kernels after the team clinched a playoff breath by winning the First Half in June. Game two of the series with Wisconsin (58-69) is set for Wednesday at 12:10 with Aaron Ashby opposite Cory Lewis.
Midwest League Stories from September 5, 2023
- Watson's Walk-off Sacrifice Fly Lifts Captains to Series-Opening Victory - Lake County Captains
- Final Series Starts Strong with 12-6 Victory Over Quad Cities - South Bend Cubs
- Kernels Top Timber Rattlers 6-3, Clinch Midwest League West Division Second Half Title - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- TinCaps Set Franchise Record for Home Runs, But Dragons Win - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Cedar Rapids Stops Wisconsin - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Loons Speed Past 'Caps, 2-1 - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Pair of Three-Run Innings Hinder Chiefs in 6-3 Defeat - Peoria Chiefs
- Watson's Walk-off Sacrifice Fly Lifts Captains to Series-Opening Victory - Lake County Captains
- Sky Carp Snap Losing Skid - Beloit Sky Carp
- Dragons Help Playoff Chances with 10-4 Win Over First Place Fort Wayne - Dayton Dragons
- Loons Wax Whitecaps 2-1 in Under Two Hours - Great Lakes Loons
- TinCaps Game Information: September 5 at Dayton Dragons (Reds Affiliate) - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Cameron Wagoner Wins Midwest League Pitcher of the Month for August - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Dayton Dragons GameDay Notes for Tuesday (7:05 PM Start) - Dayton Dragons
- Dayton Dragons Upcoming Homestand Preview - Dayton Dragons
- Maddox Riddle's Home Run for Life - South Bend Cubs
- Cardenas, Hicks Honored as Twins Announce 2023 Harmon Killebrew Award Winners - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Dragons Announce 2024 Schedule - Dayton Dragons
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
