Kernels Top Timber Rattlers 6-3, Clinch Midwest League West Division Second Half Title
Appleton, WI – Kala’i Rosario and Kyler Fedko crush home runs, and the Cedar Rapids bullpen tosses 5.1 scoreless innings as the Kernels take the series opener over Wisconsin 6-3 to clinch the Midwest League West Division Second Half title. After scoring multiple runs in each of the final four
Appleton, WI – Kala’i Rosario and Kyler Fedko crush home runs, and the Cedar Rapids bullpen tosses 5.1 scoreless innings as the Kernels take the series opener over Wisconsin 6-3 to clinch the Midwest League West Division Second Half title.
After scoring multiple runs in each of the final four innings in the series finale against Lake County, the Kernels offense picked up right where it left off on Tuesday. With one out in the top of the first inning, Emmanuel Rodriguez ripped a triple and was on for Kala’i Rosario, who crushed his 20th home run of the season, a two-run shot over the wall in left to lift ahead Cedar Rapids 2-0.
In the bottom of the first, Wisconsin rallied back. Two singles and a walk loaded the bases for Hendry Mendez, who looped an RBI single to cut the Cedar Rapids lead to 2-1. The next batter, Robert Moore, then hit into a double play, but a second run came home to tie it at 2-2.
That was the score until the top of the third inning. To lead off the frame, Kyler Fedko smashed a solo home run to instantly lift the Kernels back ahead 3-2. Noah Miller and Rodriguez then took back-to-back walks, and on an error, Miller scored, and Rodriguez moved to third. The next batter, Jorel Ortega, then lifted a sacrifice fly to score Rodriguez to extend the lead to 5-2.
In the bottom of the inning, Wisconsin again answered. Two singles and a popout put two on for Matt Wood, who got the Timber Rattler a run back with an RBI single to make it a 5-3 game.
In the top of the fifth, the Kernels extended the advantage to three. A Fedko walk began the inning, then the next batter, Miller, scored Fedko all the way from first on a double to give the Kernels the 6-3 lead, which would be the final.
From the fifth inning on, the Cedar Rapids bullpen preserved the three-run lead all the way until the end. Gabriel Yanez, Malik Barrington and John Stankiewicz went the final 5.1 innings in relief of starter Andrew Morris and combined to allow no runs on just four hits and two walks compared to six strikeouts.
The win for Cedar Rapids (81-46) cliches the Second Half Title for the Kernels after the team clinched a playoff breath by winning the First Half in June. Game two of the series with Wisconsin (58-69) is set for Wednesday at 12:10 with Aaron Ashby opposite Cory Lewis.