Silver Hawks stun Kernels in ninth
Published on May 29, 2005 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release
Kernel starter Jesse Smith came within three outs of hurling his first career complete game but the South Bend Silver Hawks erupted for five runs in the ninth inning to steal a 6-5 victory from the Kernels in front of 1,976 fans on Pat McGrath Hat Day at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
Leading 5-1, Smith took the hill in the ninth in an attempt to finish off the Silver Hawks, but the first three hitters reached and one runner scored before reliever T. J. Stanton entered from the bullpen.
Stanton gave up a run on a Carlos Gonzalez double but looked to be headed for redemption two batters later when he got Allen Mottram to ground into a run scoring double play. With the Kernels clinging to a 5-4 lead and in need of just one out to end the game, South Bend's Jereme Milons took a Stanton offering and deposited it over the left field fence for the eventual game-winning runs.
Cedar Rapids threatened in the bottom of the ninth and had a runner on with two outs but the Silver Hawks brought in closer Matt Elliott to record the final out of the game.
The ninth inning negated a terrific all-around performance by the Kernels, who fell to 20-30 with the loss.
In addition to Smith's general excellence on the mound the team did not commit an error and the offense attacked Silver Hawk pitching for eight hits.
Smith allowed a run in the top of the first but quickly righted his ship by retiring the next nine batters he faced. In the meantime the offense was getting down to business with two runs in the third when Sean Rodriguez and Aaron Peel had run scoring singles.
Already ahead 2-1 the Kernels piled on more runs in the sixth and seventh. Chris Walston had an RBI grounder in the sixth and Drew Toussaint and Michael Collins plated runners in the seventh. Toussaint's RBI came on a fielder's choice with the bases loaded while Collins' line drive single to center scored Rodriguez.
Rodriguez, Peel, and Alexi Casilla collected multiple hits with Casilla's 3-for-4 day pacing the Kernels at the plate. Casilla also scored two runs in the loss, the team's second straight to the Eastern Division leading Silver Hawks.
South Bend and Cedar Rapids close out their four game set with a special 2 p.m. start for Memorial Day on Monday. Right-handed hurler Karl Gelinas will take the mound in search of a series split. Gates open at 1 p.m. for the game which will feature the zany antics of Birdzerk as well as a $23.50 all-you-can-eat/all-you-can-drink special on the Miller Mezzanine Terrace until the seventh inning.
Midwest League Stories from May 29, 2005
- Wisconsin wins a wild one to take over first place - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Cougars Erupt with 10-7 Win - Kane County Cougars
- Kernels offer Memorial Day to remember - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Silver Hawks stun Kernels in ninth - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Dragons Come From Behind to Pick Up 5-3 Win - Dayton Dragons
- Dragons Score Three in Eighth to Beat Bees - Burlington Bees
- Wizards bury Whitecaps early - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Chiefs Back to .500 With Sixth Straight Road Win - Peoria Chiefs
- Lumberkings fall to Peoria - Clinton LumberKings
- Home winning streak snapped at five - Cedar Rapids Kernels
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