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MWL1 Cedar Rapids Kernels

Kernels win fourth straight behind LeBlanc's bat

July 6, 2005 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release


July 6, 2005 - The Kernels won their fourth game in a row and third straight against Ft. Wayne with a 4-3 triumph in front of 2,759 fans Wednesday night at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Josh LeBlanc, who rejoined the Kernels shortly after the All-Star break after rehabbing a broken hamate bone suffered in mid-April, shot a grounder up the middle in the sixth inning to plate Michael Collins with the eventual game-winning run. Collins reached base after smoking a one-hop rocket at third baseman Baudilio Figueroa to extend his hitting streak to 11 games. The missile was Collins' only hit of the night.

The Kernels bullpen held true once again as Casey Mutter and Francisco Cordova combined for four shutout innings. Mutter picked up his second victory of the season after limiting the Wizards to just one hit after relieving starter Michel Simard to start the sixth. Cordova also whirled two innings of one-hit ball to earn his third save of the season.

Cedar Rapids took an early 2-0 lead thanks to a fielding miscue by Ft. Wayne right fielder Tom Vincent in the second. Collins led off the inning with an apparent routine fly to right but Vincent, who had settled under the ball in plenty of time to make the catch, closed his glove a split second too early and the ball caromed off his mitt and fell to the ground for a three-base error. Drew Toussaint promptly ripped a single to center to plate Collins. With Richard Giannotti at the plate Toussaint elected to swipe second, which he did safely, prompting a sacrifice bunt to move him to third. LeBlanc then poked a grounder to right to bring in Toussaint.

The Wizards touched Kernel starter Michel Simard for three runs (all earned) in the third before Jordan Renz tied the game up in the fourth. Toussaint walked to lead off the inning and after two quick outs it seemed as if the Kernel DH would be stranded on the bases. Enter Renz, who drove a Chris Steinborn offering to left. Toussaint raced around third and headed for home as Renz opted to head for third. The relay throw from former No. 1 overall draft pick Matt Bush nailed Renz at third, but Toussaint had already crossed the plate before the out was recorded.

Despite being out-hit 8-to-7 seven by the Wizards the Kernels managed to improve their record this home stand to 6-1 and remained one game behind first place Quad City in the Western Division standings. After meeting the Wizards at noon on Thursday Cedar Rapids will head to Davenport to square off with the first place Swing in a four-game series at John O'Donnell Stadium.

Joe Torres will take the hill for the Kernels on Thursday as they close out their eight-game home stand with a high noon game against the Wizards. The free shuttle service will be running from downtown Cedar Rapids to and from the ballpark and Z102.9 is sponsoring $2.00 hamburgers and cheeseburgers at the concession stands. Gates will open at 11 a.m. and the Cost Cutters Kernels Box Office will open at 9 a.m.

Check out the Cedar Rapids Kernels Statistics



Midwest League Stories from July 6, 2005


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