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MWL1 Cedar Rapids Kernels

Marek blows away L-kings as Kernels claim fourth straight win

May 31, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release


Right-handed starter Stephen Marek (6-1) hurled 8 2/3 innings of four-hit baseball at Clinton's Alliant Energy Field on Wednesday night as the Kernels (25-28) won their third straight over the LumberKings and fourth in a row overall, 4-2.

Marek made just one mistake on Wednesday, serving up a two-run homer to Clinton's K. C. Herren in the bottom of the second inning. He would have went the distance, but a fielding error by Hainley Statia at short and a bunt single by LumberKing Terry Blunt put runners on the corners with two outs.

Right-hander Ryan Aldridge, who was warming up in the bullpen as a precautionary measure, entered the game and got Clinton's Johnny Whittleman to rap a sharp liner at Statia, who fielded the ball cleanly on one hop and threw to Mark Trumbo to end the game in a crisp 2 hours and 16 minutes. Aldridge picked up his team-leading 10th save of the season. Marek notched a season-high nine strikeouts, which was also a season best mark for any Kernels starter.

The Kernels took control of the game with a three-run seventh inning with the key play coming on a sharpy hit grounder by Larry Infante that drew Clinton shortstop Matt Smith deep into the hole. Smith had a hard time coming up with the ball then threw wildly to first base, a move which allowed Statia and Jordan Renz to score. Trumbo started the inning with a sacrifice fly to plate Brad Coon.

Dallas Morris staked the Kernels to a brief one-run lead in the second when he lined the first pitch he saw from Clinton starter Kyle Rogers over the wall in left for a solo homer, his fourth of the season.

Midwest League veteran Gerry Oakes (0-1) suffered the loss after allowing all three runs in the Kernels' seventh.

The Kernels collected eight hits but stranded 10 men on base in the victory.

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Midwest League Stories from May 31, 2006


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