Kernels and Timber Rattlers Split Wednesday Afternoon Doubleheader

Appleton, WI - After Wisconsin came from behind to take game one of the day 5-3, Cedar Rapids powered eight runs in game two to take an 8-2 win as the two sides split the series opening twin bill.

In game one, Cedar Rapids jumped out a 2-0 advantage. A Nate Baez single and a Willie Joe Garry double put two runners in scoring position with one out in the frame. After a balk plated Baez, Garry scored on a Gabriel Gonzalez ground out to put the Kernels on top 2-0.

Wisconsin rallied to score two of its own in the bottom of the inning. A double and a single began the inning, followed by a sac fly and an RBI base hit to tie the game at 2-2.

Cedar Rapids took the lead back in their half of the fourth, Danny De Andrade began the frame with a double, and the next batter, Jay Harry, put the Kernels back on top with a double of his own to make it a 3-2 game.

In the bottom of the frame, Eduardqui Fernandez singled to begin the inning. After being replaced on base with a fielder’s choice, a stolen base and a single tied the game at 3-3. With a man still aboard and two outs, Luke Adams crushed a two-run home run to lift Wisconsin ahead 5-3, the score which was the final in game one of the afternoon.

In game two, Wisconsin grabbed the lead first. Three straight hits started the game for the Timber Rattlers, one of which scored a run, and an RBI groundout scored another, making it a 2-0 game after the first inning.

But after the first, Zebby Matthews settled down and produced his second win of the season. Matthews finished the day going five strong innings, allowing two runs on five hits with four strikeouts and no walks. Behind him, Kyle Bischoff came on in relief and tossed two scoreless innings to cap the victory out of the bullpen.

Trailing 2-0, Cedar Rapids grabbed the lead it would never lose in the bottom of the second. Agustin Ruiz led off the frame with a double, and the next batter, Keoni Cavaco, smoked a double of his own to cut the Wisconsin lead to one at 2-1. After singles by Dillion Tatum and Luke Keaschall, the bases were loaded for Gonzalez, who lifted a two-run double down the right field line to put the Kernels on top 3-2.

The Kernels grew their lead in the fourth. Three consecutive walks by Tatum, Keaschall, and Gonzalez began the inning and loaded the bases with no one out. After a pop out, Rubel Cespedes scored two with an RBI double. The next batter, Jose Salas, then scored a run with an RBI single, and so did Miseal Urbina with a groundout to make it 7-2.

In the sixth inning, Gonzalez opened the frame with his second double of the day, and two batters later, Cespedes ripped another run-scoring double to put Cedar Rapids up 8-2, the score that would be the final.

The two sides are set to play game three of the series tomorrow at 6:40, John Klein gets the start for Cedar Rapids opposite Will Rudy.