Kernels Win On Last Strike

June 14, 2005 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release

A sinking liner off the bat of Jason Ramos fell just in front of Burlington's Brian McFall in the bottom of the ninth to give the Kernels a 4-3 victory over the Bees. Ramos' one and only hit Tuesday night came with two outs and a full count off of Burlington reliever Gabe DeHoyos.

Richard Giannotti, who singled to begin the ninth and advanced to second on a ground out by Warner Madrigal, raced home from second as McFall made a diving attempt at the ball. McFall triumphantly held up his glove only to discover the ball was actually underneath him and the game was over.

Francisco Cordova earned his third win of the season by pitching a scoreless ninth. He came on in relief of starter Jesse Smith who closed out the eighth by working his way out of a bases loaded jam by striking out Eddie Solis and inducing Kenard Springer to line out to Giannotti in center.

Smith gave up eight hits and three runs but only an RBI single by Springer in the fourth counted as an earned run. The former sixth round pick of the Angels struck out seven and walked two in the no decision.

Designated hitter Drew Toussaint blasted his seventh home run of the season in the sixth inning off of Burlington starter Luis Cota to knot the game at three runs each.

After trailing 3-0 through four, Madrigal got the Kernels on the board with a two-run single in the fifth that chased home Giannotti and Tommy Duenas. Giannotti, batting in the sixth spot on Tuesday night, was 3-for-4 with a pair of runs scored. He was the only Kernel to collect more than one hit on the night.

The Kernels close out their three-game series with the Bees on Wednesday night with a 7 p.m. game. Gates open at 6 p.m. for the fourth KKRQ 100.7 the Fox Buck-A-Cup night of the season. Fans can enjoy $1.00 12 ounce sodas and draft beer all night. The Kernels will also be sporting black and gold Hawkeye-themed jerseys during the game and fans will have the opportunity to bid on the game-worn uniform tops during a silent auction.

Midwest League Stories from June 14, 2005

• Lugnuts drop another one-run affair to Whitecaps - Lansing Lugnuts
• LumberKings axe Rattlers to force another tie in West - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
• Kernels Win On Last Strike - Cedar Rapids Kernels
• Déjà vu All Over Again in 12-11 Loss - Dayton Dragons
• Cougars Bitten by Snappers - Kane County Cougars
• Snappers Return Favor, Pound Cougars - Beloit Sky Carp
• Ankiel's homer can't save Swing - Quad Cities River Bandits
• Three All-Stars Lead Chiefs Past Swing - Peoria Chiefs
• Pitching clamps down on Lansing - West Michigan Whitecaps
• Final Series of First Half - Beloit Sky Carp
• Lavon Lewis Joins Caps; Peralta Placed on DL - West Michigan Whitecaps
• Spots still available for Kernels Youth Baseball Camps - Cedar Rapids Kernels
• Chicks Dig The Long Ball - South Bend Silver Hawks
• Hold the presses: Velez to join Lugnuts today in West Michigan - Lansing Lugnuts
• LumberKings Fall to the Timber Rattlers in Battle For Division Crown - Clinton LumberKings
• Peralta placed on disabled list as first half winds down - Lansing Lugnuts

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.

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