MWL1 Cedar Rapids Kernels

West Michigan trips Kernels in series finale, 6-3

Published on May 12, 2003 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release


CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Jody Roughton and Victor Mendez hit two-run home runs to power the West Michigan Whitecaps past the Cedar Rapids Kernels, 6-3, Monday night in a Midwest League baseball game played before a paid crowd of 1,020 at New Veterans Memorial Stadium.

The Kernels (19-18) suffered their third straight loss to the Whitecaps (20-18) and lost for the eighth time in their last 11 games.

Roughton was 6-for-16 with seven RBI in four games against the Kernels. He nearly hit for the cycle on Sunday when he had a single, double and triple while driving home five runs. His two-run home run in the top of the ninth inning Monday gave West Michigan a 6-3 lead.

The Kernels got runners to second and third with one out in the bottom of the ninth against West Michigan closer Juan Figueroa, but failed to score. Erick Aybar – the leading hitter in the Midwest League with a ..356 batting average – struck out and, following a walk to cleanup hitter Jared Abruzzo that loaded the bases, Matt Brown went down swinging.

The Kernels, who managed only seven hits, scored in the first inning, despite getting only one hit. Jake Mathis drew a bases-loaded walk to force in the run.

West Michigan scored a run in the second and third innings, respectively, then added a pair in the fourth inning on Mendez's two-run home run for a 4-1 lead.

The Kernels scored an unearned run in the fifth inning and tacked on another in the sixth on David Gates' RBI single to cut the deficit to 4-3.

The Kernels got a runner as far as third base with two outs in the seventh, but failed to score when Brown struck out to end the inning.

Next game – Tuesday, Kernels at Dayton, 6 p.m. (Iowa time)

Radio – The Zone ESPN Radio 1600-AM.

UPCOMING HOME GAMES

May 17-20 – vs. South Bend

May 17 – 5 p.m., Skyy Dogs USA

May 18 – 2 p.m., Bark in the Park and Skyy Dogs USA

May 20 – Noon, KDAT Lunch at the Ballpark

May 22-25 – vs. Clinton

May 22 – 6:30 p.m., Perfect Game USA Baseball Card Night

May 23 – 6:30 p.m., Commercial Federal Banks Fireworks Night

May 25 – 2 p.m., Baseball, Hot Dogs, Apple Pie and Chevrolet Day. A 2002 Chevy Cavalier will be given away, via drawing. Entry forms are now being accepted at Veterans Memorial Stadium and Pat McGrath Chevyland. Need not be present to win.

Check out the Cedar Rapids Kernels Statistics

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Midwest League Stories from May 12, 2003


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