MWL1 Cedar Rapids Kernels

Workman's walk-off wins it for Kernels, 7-5

Published on May 17, 2012 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release


CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Andy Workman proved that twice is nice, hitting his 2nd walk-off home run of the season to lift the Kernels to an improbable 7-5 victory over the Kane County Cougars on Thursday.

In the 10th inning with Ryan Jones on first base, Workman hit a moonshot off of Kane County (22-19) closer Nick Graffeo's fastball, landing in the left field picnic tables and in the W column for the home team. It's Cedar Rapids (18-22) second walk-off home run this season, with the other also courtesy of Workman in a 4-3 victory over West Michigan on April 30.

But none of it would've been possible had it not been for the Cedar Rapids centerfielder Chevy Clarke. Hitless in his last 16 at-bats coming into the game, Clarke came up with the home team down 5-4 in the 9th. The Marietta, GA native hit a 1-out, solo home run to the opposite field to force extra innings. The blast forced Graffeo's first blown save of the year in his 9th opportunity. Clarke was 2-4 with an RBI and a run scored to bust out.

The Kernels first runs of the game were also via the long-ball. With Clarke on third and Wendell Soto on second after a double, Trevor Hairgrove drove a Scott Alexander pitch over the wall in left field in the 3rd.

Matt Scioscia scored the other Kernels run after a double to lead off the 7th inning. Wendell Soto's potential inning-ending groundball induced an error on the throw to first, allowing Scioscia to score, then tying the game at 4.

Kernels starter Jairo Diaz's worst inning was arguably his best, too. In the 2nd inning, Kane County's Michael Antonio took a Diaz pitch to deep left for a 2-0 lead. Murray Watts also hit a home run to straightaway centerfield in the inning. However, Diaz struck out the other three hitters he faced in the inning, on his way to tallying 7 strikeouts over as many innings.

Stephen Tromblee (3-0) earned his third victory of the season for the Kernels, after retiring the Cougars in order in the top of the 10th inning. Graffeo (0-1) took the loss in his first decision of the season.

The Kernels victory broke a streak of 17 straight games in which Kane County won when leading after 8 innings, and just the visitors second loss in 10 games.

The Kernels conclude the series vs. Kane County on Friday evening at 6:35 p.m. The first 1,000 fans through the gates when they open at 5:30 p.m. will receive a free Kernels baseball hat. It's another Friday Night Mug Club, sponsored by Sip N Stir. Buy a 16 oz. reusable mug of $5.00 and get refills for $2.50. The Kernels are home through Monday afternoon.

Morgan Hawk brings you the 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 . Tickets are available online at www.kernels.com or by calling the Kernels box office at 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.

Check out the Cedar Rapids Kernels Statistics

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Midwest League Stories from May 17, 2012


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