Kernels Bullpen Throws 7.2 No-Hit Innings, Cedar Rapids Wins Series Finale 4-2
Cedar Rapids, IA – After being called into action with the bases loaded and one out in the top of the second inning, the Cedar Rapids bullpen allowed just a single base runner, on an error, to propel the Kernels to the 4-2 victory Sunday afternoon as CR wins its
Cedar Rapids, IA – After being called into action with the bases loaded and one out in the top of the second inning, the Cedar Rapids bullpen allowed just a single base runner, on an error, to propel the Kernels to the 4-2 victory Sunday afternoon as CR wins its third straight series.
Alejandro Hidalgo got the start for the Kernels and got into trouble right away. The right-hander issued four straight walks to the first four batters he faced forcing home a run to put Peoria ahead 1-0. After a strikeout, Osvaldo Tovalin then produced the second run of the contest for the Chiefs on a sacrifice fly to make it 2-0 after the first half inning.
In the bottom of the first, Cedar Rapids grabbed a run back. Ben Ross and Tanner Schobel singled back-to-back to open the frame. With runners on first and third and no one out, Kala’i Rosario hit into a double play that scored Ross to make it 2-1 after the first inning.
In the top of the second, Thomas Franciso led off the inning with a double. After he was retired on a fielder's choice, Hidalgo again walked back-to-back batters to load the bases with one out. At that point, Hidalgo was lifted from the contest, and John Stankiewicz came on out of the Cedar Rapids bullpen. With a popout and groundout, Stankiewicz got out of the inning, not allowing a run to keep the contest 2-1.
Stankiewicz went on to retire the next nine batters he faced tossing 3.2 perfect innings in relief, setting the tone for the rest of the Kernels' bullpen. As a unit between Stankiewicz, Niklas Rimmel, Gianluca Dalatri and Miguel Rodriguez, the Cedar Rapids bullpen went 7.2 innings allowing no hits and just one base runner on an error while earning eight strikeouts.
The score remained 2-1 until the bottom of the fifth when Cedar Rapids jumped ahead. With two outs and two runners on base, Schobel ripped a double off the left field wall driving home his 20th and 21st runs of the year to put the Kernels ahead 3-2.
The Kernels added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth on Schobel’s third RBI of the contest, bringing home Willie Joe Garry Jr. to make it 4-2, the score which would be the final.
The win clinches the third straight series win for Cedar Rapids (22-17), who takes four of the six games over Peoria (20-19). The Kernels are now 13-6 in the month of May and open up the second half of the team’s twelve-game homestand on Tuesday against Wisconsin at 6:35.