On First LAFCU Fireworks Night, Kernels Escape Locos, 8-5
June 3, 2022 - Midwest League (MWL)
Lansing Lugnuts News Release
LANSING, Mich. - In front of 5,722 in a Copa de la Diversión game and the first LAFCU
Fireworks game of the year, the Cedar Rapids Kernels (31-18) built a comfortable lead with late insurance and then held on to stop the Lansing Locos (19-30), 8-5, on Friday night at
Jackson® Field™.
Kernels leadoff hitter Anthony Prato went 2-for-4 with three runs scored and three RBIs - including a two-run triple in a four-run eighth that gave Cedar Rapids an 8-5 lead.
But in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Locos rallied for two runs on a Jonny Butler
RBI single and an Austin Beck sac fly. With runners at second and third and
Lawrence Butler at the plate representing the game-tying run, Derek Molina induced a flyout to center field to end the game.
Molina was only in the game because Ryan Shreve, the Kernels' reliever to start the ninth, was removed from the game by the umpiring crew due to continual bleeding from his hand. The bottom of the ninth was delayed at the start due to attempts to stanch the
bleeding, with Shreve eventually facing the first four Lansing batters before his removal was ordered.
The two teams have split the first four games of the six-game series.
Locos starter Hogan Harris continued his comeback to full strength after missing all of last season by pitching a season high 2 1/3 innings, blanking Cedar Rapids on one hit and two walks while striking out two.
Stevie Emanuels handled the next 4 2/3 innings, striking out three while allowing two-run rallies in the third in and fifth innings.
Trailing 4-2 entering the bottom of the seventh, debuting Locos third baseman
Alex Campos singled to right field off Kernels reliever Tyler Palm (West Branch, Mich.). Three batters later,
Tyler Soderstrom barely missed a two-run game-tying homer, doubling off the top of the 20-foot center field wall to bring the Locos within 4-3.
Campos finished the game 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Jonny Butler added two hits and a walk,
Gabriel Maciel singled and doubled in four at-bats, and leadoff hitter
Drew Swift went 1-for-3 with two walks and three runs scored - driven in each time by Austin Beck.
Saturday, the fifth game of the six-game series, is REO Speedwagon Tribute Night with special Speedwagon-themed uniforms and LAFCU Fireworks! Lansing will start right-hander
Blake Beers (0.00 ERA) against Kernels left-hander Brent Headrick (1.70 ERA); gates open at 6 p.m. with first pitch at 7:05 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets,
visit lansinglugnuts.com or call (517) 485-4500.
Midwest League Stories from June 3, 2022
- Early Outburst Leads Wisconsin Past Chiefs - Peoria Chiefs
- On First LAFCU Fireworks Night, Kernels Escape Locos, 8-5 - Lansing Lugnuts
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- Gray and Acosta Homer in Wisconsin Win Over Peoria - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Multi-Hit Games Fuel Friday Kernels' Win - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- TinCaps Homer Way to Win - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Willems' Home Run Supports Strong Pitching as Dragons Win Again, 5-2 - Dayton Dragons
- TinCaps Transactions & Game Information: June 3 at Great Lakes - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Peters Wins Midwest League Player of the Month Award for May - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Dayton Dragons GameDay Notes for Friday - Dayton Dragons
- Dragons Joe Boyle Wins Midwest League Pitcher of the Month for May - Dayton Dragons
- South Bend Cubs Gameday and Event Parking Is Now Cashless - South Bend Cubs
- 'Caps Blast Six Homers in Win - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Chiefs Blank Wisconsin for Second Night in a Row in 4-0 Triumph - Peoria Chiefs
- Espinoza Shines in South Bend Loss, Cubs Split the Day - South Bend Cubs
- Combined 24 Runs Scored, with Whitecaps Outlasting Captains - Lake County Captains
- Sky Carp Stun Bandits with Eight-Run Ninth in Slugfest - Quad Cities River Bandits
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