Kernels drop heartbreaker at Quad Cities

DAVENPORT, Iowa - The Kernels lost a heartbreaking, walk-off 8-7 game at Modern Woodmen Park on Saturday night to the Quad Cities River Bandits. A game that the Bandits led 6-1 going into the 9th inning certainly picked up in intensity in a 9th inning where 8 combined runs were scored. The Kernels scored 6 runs in the top of the inning to take a 7-6 lead, but they were out-done by 2 runs from Quad Cities in the bottom half.

The Kernels were kept relatively quiet until the 9th inning, scoring only one run and trailing 6-1. However, in the top of the 9th the Kernels sent 11 batters to the plate and scored 6 times. 12 of the previous 13 Kernels hitters had been retired in the 5th-8th innings. Zach Borenstein led off with a double to right field to begin the frame off of Bandits reliever Danny Miranda. Ethan Cole then came to the mound. He proceeded to walk Zach Wright and allow a single to Matt Scioscia, loading the bases with no outs. Trevor Hairgrove then reached 1st base on a throwing error by Quad Cities shortstop Matt Williams. Borenstein scored to cut the score to 6-2. Eric Stamets then lofted a 2-RBI single into right field, scoring both Wright and Scioscia, trimming the deficit to 6-4. The hit also moved Hairgrove to 3rd base with still no outs.

With Kevin Moesquit at the plate Cole's pitch went to the backstop, and Trevor Hairgrove raced towards home. Catcher Juan Castillo flipped to Cole at the plate, and Hairgrove was called out by home plate umpire Mike Huus. Moesquit eventually reached on an infield single to put two men on with one out. Quad Cities went back to the bullpen and brought on closer Heath Wyatt.

Alex Yarbrough, after a battle at the plate, promptly launched a 2-RBI double to deep right center, scoring Stamets and Moesquit to the game 6-6. Yarbrough reached 3rd base on the throw to home. Andy Workman then lined a RBI sacrifice fly to center field to score Yarbrough and give the Kernels a 7-6 advantage. Three more Kernels came to the plate in the inning, but no more runs crossed.

With the Kernels leading by 1 run, Ty Kelley came to the mound for Cedar Rapids in the bottom of the 9th inning. With one out he walked Neal Pritchard, who was immediately pinch-ran for by Luis Mateo. Matt Williams then grounded to short, and the Kernels retired Mateo at 2nd base while Williams reached 1st on a fielder's choice. With two outs Nick Martini drew a walk to put two men on base. A wild pitch by Kelley sent runners to 2nd and 3rd base. Colin Walsh then singled up the middle to score two Bandits and give Quad Cities an 8-7 walk-off win.

Kelley (3-1) took the loss for the Kernels, going 0.2 inning and allowing two runs on one hit while walking two. Frank De Jiulio started for the Kernels and went 4.1 innings. He allowed six runs (five earned) on six hits while striking out four and walking four. Logan Odom pitched 1.2 scoreless and hitless innings, striking out one. R.J. Alvarez pitched a scoreless inning, striking out two and allowing one hit. Stephen Tromblee pitched one innings and allowed no runs on one hit.

Heath Wyatt (3-2) recorded the win despite blowing a save. He went 0.2 inning and allowed one run on two hits. Kyle Hald started and went six innings, allowing one run on four hits while striking out eight and walking one. Robert Stock went one scoreless inning. Danny Miranda went one inning and allowed one run.

Quad Cities scored three times in the 2nd inning to take the early 3-0 lead on RBI hits from Virgil Hill and Neal Pritchard. The lead was extended to 4-0 in the 3rd inning on a RBI single by Colin Walsh.

The Kernels cut into the lead in the 4th inning with Matt Scioscia's RBI single, cutting the lead to 4-1.

In the 5th inning the Bandits lead grew to 6-1. With runners at 2nd and 3rd base, a passed ball by Kernels catcher Zach Wright scored Neal Pritchard. Later in the inning, another passed ball by Wright allowed Matt Williams to reach home plate.

The Kernels now head to Beloit for a 3-game series against the Snappers, the Midwest League affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. First pitch on Sunday afternoon is at 4:00 p.m.

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.

The team returns home on Wednesday, July 4th vs. Wisconsin at 5:05 p.m. Fireworks follow the game! Midwest Dueling Pianos will also perform during and after the game! The Kernels will also wear special jerseys!

Get your tickets now! Tickets are available online at www.kernels.com or by calling the Kernels box office at 896-7605. Ticket office hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.