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MWL1 Cedar Rapids Kernels

Walks and Wild Pitch in Ninth Give Whitecaps the Win

June 6, 2015 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release


COMSTOCK PARK, Mich.- Four consecutive walks and a walk-off wild pitch gave West Michigan an 8-7 win over the Kernels on Saturday night at Fifth Third Ballpark. The Whitecaps scored twice with no hits in the final inning for the comeback victory. The Kernels have now lost three games in a row.

The back and forth battle had the Kernels leading 7-6 in the bottom of the ninth inning with Cam Booser on the mound. Booser struck out Mike Gerber to start the inning, but then the southpaw walked the next four and fired a wild pitch that gave West Michigan the win. Joey Pankake, Will Kengor and Zach Shepherd drew walks to load the bases. Shane Zeile then reached with a base on balls to bring in Pankake and tie the game 7-7. With Francisco Contreras at the plate, Booser's wild pitch allowed Kenger to score the walk-off run and give the Whitecaps an 8-7 victory.

Booser (1-1) took the loss, retiring one batter and allowing two runs with no hits while walking four and striking out one. The four walks were part of 11 free passes that Kernels pitchers combined to issue on the night, a season-high.

Alex Real went 3-for-4 with three runs batted in for Cedar Rapids in the loss. Brett Doe also knocked in three runs. Max Murphy collected three hits, as well.

The Kernels (35-21) scored three runs in the third inning to jump in front 3-0. Nick Gordon and Zack Larson singled before Murphy was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Doe drew a walk with the bases loaded to bring Gordon in for the game's first run. Real then shot a two-run single into right-center, bringing in both Larson and Murphy to put Cedar Rapids up by three.

The lead was short-lived as the Whitecaps (28-28) countered with three runs in the bottom of the third inning, tying the game 3-3. Steven Fuentes began the inning with a base on balls before scoring on a one-out RBI double down the left field line by Austin Schotts. Gerber then drew a walk to put two on base. With Schotts at third base, Pankake ripped an infield single towards the middle to bring in the second run of the inning. Kengor's RBI single to left scored Gerber and tied the game.

Cedar Rapids moved ahead 4-3 in the fifth inning. Jorge Fernandez began the inning with a double to right field. After Murphy's single, he scored on Doe's RBI sacrifice fly to right field.

However, West Michigan scored a pair in the bottom of the fifth inning to take a 5-4 advantage. The Whitecaps drew a pair of walks in the inning, and both of the runners came around to score. Kengor's two-run double down the left field line plated both Derek Hill and Pankake.

Cedar Rapids sent nine men to the plate in the top of the sixth inning and scored three times to take the lead right back, 7-5. Edgar Corcino singled, stole second and went to third on Larson's fielder's choice. Fernandez's RBI sacrifice fly to right field plated Corcino and tied the game at five. Then, three straight singles gave the Kernels a two-run lead. Murphy singled to center field before Doe's RBI infield single to third base plated Larson to give the Kernels the lead. Real's RBI single to left brought in Murphy and put the Kernels up by two runs.

The Whitecaps pushed a run across in the bottom of the sixth inning, cutting the Kernels lead to 7-6. Zeile and Contreras began the inning with consecutive singles before a bunt by Fuentes put runners at second and third. Zeile scored when Hill reached on a fielding error by Kernels first baseman Jorge Fernandez.

Gage Smith (2-1) earned the win for the Whitecaps, tossing 3 1/3 scoreless innings in relief, allowing one hit and no walks while striking out five. Jeff Thompson started for West Michigan and fought through five innings, allowing four runs on eight hits while striking out four and walking three.

Zack Tillery started for the Kernels and allowed three runs on three hits in three innings on the mound. He walked four and struck out one. Miles Nordgren allowed three runs on four hits over two innings in relief.

Randy LeBlanc was terrific in relief for Cedar Rapids, going three scoreless innings. He allowed one hit and one walk while striking out five.

The Kernels outhit West Michigan 13-8. The teams combined to strand 22 runners on base in the game that lasted three hours and 31 minutes.

The series at West Michigan continues on Sunday afternoon at 12:00 p.m. CT (1:00 p.m. ET). RHP Sam Gibbons (0-0, 5.40) gets the start for the Kernels against West Michigan's RHP Spencer Turnbull (3-2, 3.35)

The Kernels return home on Wednesday, June 10 to begin a nine-game home stand. Cedar Rapids hosts the Great Lakes Loons, the Midwest League affiliate of the Dodgers. It's a Free Money Wednesday, presented by Western Fraternal Life. Western Fraternal Life will give away $500 at the main gates at every Wednesday home game, with $100 being the top prize.

Tickets are available online at www.kernels.com. You can also visit the Kernels Ticket Office at Veterans Memorial Stadium or call 319-896-7560. Morgan Hawk brings you the action of all Kernels games live on KMRY Radio (93.1 FM/1450 AM) and online at www.kernels.com.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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