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MWL1 Cedar Rapids Kernels

Walk this way – Renz draws game-winner

June 30, 2005 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release


Jordan Renz drew a crucial bases loaded walk in the eighth inning to give the Kernels a 7-6 victory over the Lansing Lugnuts on Thursday night at Veterans Memorial Stadium in the first of a four game series with the Toronto Blue Jay minor leaguers.

After an infield single by Michael Collins tied the game, Richard Giannotti laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt to move Drew Toussaint and Collins into scoring position at third and second, respectively. The Lugnuts opted to intentionally walk Warner Madrigal to load the bases for Renz. After digging himself a 1-2 hole, the big Kernel DH was patient enough to draw three balls from reliever Jordy Templet.

Casey Mutter picked up his first professional victory for the Kernels after tossing a scoreless eighth and Chris Waters notched his first save of the season with a 1-2-3 ninth inning to pull the Kernels back to the .500 mark in the second half at 4-4.

Despite being out-hit by the Lugnuts 13-10, the Kernels made use of their opportunities to score runs. Cedar Rapids scored at least one run in the first three innings before Lansing countered with five runs in the middle three innings to take a 6-5 lead.

Seven of the nine Kernels in the starting lineup collected at least one hit with the top portion of the lineup also the most effective, combining for seven hits, five runs, and three RBI. Remarkably Renz was one of the two Kernels to not collect a safety.

Chris Walston blasted a line drive homer to left that exited the stadium in the second for his sixth big fly of the year.

All-Star Freddy Sandoval got the Kernels on the board in the first with a line drive double to left that came on the heels of a leadoff double by Sean Rodriguez. Sandoval eventually scored on a ground out by Collins.

Giannotti recorded an RBI single in the third that plated Collins.

Christian Snavely homered for the Lugnuts, who dropped to 4-4 in the second half.

The two teams meet again tomorrow night at 7 p.m. with Michel Simard (2-0, 1.76) scheduled to take the hill for the Kernels. There will be a postgame fireworks show sponsored by the Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival and the first 1,000 fans wearing a Freedom Festival button will receive a free set of cheer stix. The first 1,000 fans through the gate, regardless of whether they have a button or not, receive a complimentary seat cushion provided by St. Luke's Hospital.

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Midwest League Stories from June 30, 2005


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