MWL1 Cedar Rapids Kernels

Stamets walk-off double gives Kernels 4-3 win over Peoria

Published on July 9, 2012 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release


CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - The Cedar Rapids Kernels were down to the team's final strike, and had to wait through a 32 minute rain delay for the payoff pitch. But it was worth it, as Eric Stamets cleared the bases for a walk-off 4-3 victory over Peoria.

His 3-RBI double gave the Kernels (39-49, 7-11) a second straight series victory, while Peoria (41-46, 6-12) is now in last place in the Midwest League Western Division for the second half.

In one of the oddest games of the season, the tension seemed to coincide with the rain. What began as a beautiful day in Cedar Rapids slowly turned ominous, resulting in sprinkles at the beginning of the 9th inning. With every at bat in the inning, the precipitation picked up, until it was pouring for Stamets' bases loaded appearance.

But at two balls and two strikes in the count, Stamets stepped out of the box to wipe down his bat. It was during this timeout that the umpires decided to pull the players from the field for wet conditions.

After a 32 minute delay, play resumed, and Stamets crushed the first pitch from Peoria reliever Luis Liria to deep left field. The first two base runners - Gary Mitchell and Zach Wright - scored easily but Kevin Moesquit hustled from first base to beat the tag at home by a mere step.

It was an exciting, albeit quick, end to what would've otherwise been a pitcher's duel. Kernels starter Dan Reynolds went 8 1/3 innings and allowed two runs and struck out three Chiefs in arguably his finest start of the season. Peoria starter Michael Jensen tossed 5 solid innings as well, allowing one run while fanning three Kernels.

Cedar Rapids had a brief lead when they scored the game's first run in the bottom of the 3rd inning. Matt Scioscia hit a leadoff double and moved to third base on a subsequent groundout. Alex Yarbrough smacked a two out single to score Scioscia - an RBI which also extended Yarbrough's hit streak to 14 consecutive games.

Peoria quickly gained its own advantage on three consecutive hits for its first two runs. The game was tied when top prospect Javier Baez bounced a home run off the top of the wall and out in the top of the 4th. Back-to-back doubles from Wes Darvill and Yasiel Balaguert gave the Chiefs the lead.

The Chiefs added what was supposed to be insurance in the top of the 9th when Wes Darvill hit a solo home run to right field that put the game at 3-1. Kernels reliever Stephen Tromblee (4-0) earned the win in a 2/3 of inning outing with one strikeout. Liria (1-3) took the loss and a blown save for Peoria.

The Kernels now hit the road for the next 6 games. After a day off on Tuesday, the team resumes action on Wednesday night in Midland, MI at 6:05 p.m. (7:05 eastern) vs. the Great Lakes Loons, the Midwest League affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The road trip also takes the Kernels to Lansing, MI. The team returns home on July 18 vs. Ft. Wayne.

Get your tickets now! Tickets are available online at www.kernels.com or by calling the Kernels box office at (319) 896-7560. Ticket office hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Morgan Hawk brings you the live action on the radio home of Kernels baseball, KMRY. Listen at 1450 AM or 93.1 FM, as well as www.kernels.com and www.kmryradio.com .

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Midwest League Stories from July 9, 2012


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