Eight-run fifth inning downs Kernels, 11-7

CLINTON, Iowa - Cedar Rapids fell to the Clinton LumberKings, 11-7, in the rubber game on Sunday afternoon. Seven of the Kernels nine hitters recorded at least one hit.

T.J. White and Alex Real each recorded multi-hit games in the loss. White went 3-for-5 with three RBI, a run and a double while Real finished the afternoon 2-for-4 with an RBI triple and a run.

Cedar Rapids jumped in front first with a pair of runs in the top of the third. Pat Kelly started the inning with a single through the left side. Kelly then advanced to second on a passed ball. Austin Diemer followed Kelly with an RBI double off the center field wall. Rafael Valera moved Diemer to third with a groundout to the right side. Nick Gordon reached second on a fielder's choice after Austin Diemer was thrown out at home on a grounder back to the pitcher. Two batters later, White extended the Kernels lead to 2-0 with a two-out RBI single to right, scoring Gordon from second.

Adam Martin cut the Cedar Rapids lead in half with a solo home run to left in the bottom of the third. The homer was third of the season for Martin.

Clinton (14-41, 40-84) took their first lead of the game with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth. Austin Cousino led off the frame with a single to left-center. Gianfranco Wawoe followed Cousino with a two-run home run to left field, putting the LumberKings in front of the Kernels, 3-2.

Cedar Rapids (30-25, 71-54) evened the game at 3-3 with a run in the top of the fifth. Gordon started the inning with a one-out walk. Gordon then stole second base, his 24th of the year. Gordon moved to third on a wild pitch before White brought him in with an RBI groundout.

The LumberKings brought 12 to the plate in an eight-run bottom of the fifth. Back-to-back singles by Pat Leyland and Martin gave Clinton runners on first and second with no outs. Chris Mariscal put the LumberKings back on top with an RBI single to left, plating Leyland. Arby Fields then drew a walk, loading the bases full of LumberKings. Cousino extended the Clinton lead to 6-3 with a double to left-center, scoring both Martin and Mariscal. Wawoe followed Cousino with a two-run single to center, brining around both Fields and Cousino. Back-to-back walks by Joe DeCarlo and Leyland loaded the bases for the second time in the inning for Clinton. Martin increased the LumberKings lead to 11-3 with a two-out bases clearing double to left-center.

Cedar Rapids cut the deficit to five with three runs in the top of the eighth. White reached on an error to begin the inning. White then advanced to second on a balk before Max Murphy brought him in with an RBI single to right-center. Real followed Murphy with an RBI triple to center, plating Murphy from first. Two batters later, Zack Larson brought in Real from third with a sacrifice fly to left.

The Kernels trimmed the LumberKings lead to 11-7 with a two-out run in the top of the ninth. Gordon started the frame with a two-out double off the top of the left-center wall. White followed Gordon with an RBI double to center, plating Gordon for the final run of the game.

Randy LeBlanc (8-5) suffered the loss for Cedar Rapids. LeBlanc allowed seven runs on six hits and two walks while striking out three in four innings. Jared Wilson allowed four runs on three hits and a pair of walks while striking out two in 2/3 of an inning. Yorman Landa yielded two hits and a walk while striking out a pair in two scoreless innings of relief.

Tyler Herb (5-8) earned the win for Clinton. The right-hander allowed three runs on five hits and one walk while striking out four over five innings.

The Kernels begin a six-game homestand on Monday v. the Peoria Chiefs First pitch in the series opener is at 6:35 p.m. from Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium. RHP Keaton Steele (4-4, 3.36) gets the start for Cedar Rapids while Peoria has yet to announce their starting pitcher.

Cedar Rapids returns home for a six-game homestand on Monday, August 24th, v. the Peoria Chiefs. Monday's game is a Mark Down Monday. Get regular hot dogs for just $1.50, plus small popcorn, ice cream sandwiches, chips and Cracker Jacks are each just $1 every Monday home game.

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 Kernels games live on KMRY Radio (93.1 FM/1450 AM) and online at www.kernels.com.