Walk-off wild pitch gives Kernels 9th straight win
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Adam Brett Walker scored on a wild pitch to give the Kernels a 2-1 walk-off win over the Peoria Chiefs in 10 innings on Saturday night. The Kernels have won nine straight games to open the second half.
Pitching dominated for a majority of the contest as both starters went 8 innings for their respective teams.
With 2 outs in the 4th, Walker drew a walk to extend the inning. A few pitches later, Max Kepler drilled a double down the right field line to score Walker and give the Kernels a 1-0 lead. That lead would hold up until the 8th.
The Kernels threatened in the 7th after singles by Michael Quesada and Joel Licon, but Jeremias Pineda struck out and Jorge Polanco popped out to end the frame.
Kernels starter Brett Lee was magnificent, allowing just 1 run, which was unearned. In the top of the 8th, Nick Martini and Gerwuins Velazco singled with 1 out for Peoria. Breyvic Valera followed with a grounder to Polanco at shortstop, but the ball got through the infield and the Chiefs pushed a run across. Lee was able to get out of the jam, however, forcing Ildemaro Vargas into a fielder's choice and striking out Jacob Wilson.
The Kernels attempted to rally in the 8th, getting the bases loaded with 2 outs, but did not score. Walker walked, Kepler reached on an error, and Tyler Grimes walked. Quesada grounded into a fielder's choice to end the inning.
Walker led off the 10th with a single, stole second, and Kepler walked before Grimes sacrificed both runners over. With 1 out and Quesada batting, Chiefs reliever Zach Russell threw a wild pitch to give the Kernels the walk-off victory.
Lee exited after 8, allowing 4 hits along with the unearned run while walking none and striking out 9. Caleb Brewer followed out of the bullpen, throwing 2 innings for the win. Brewer (1-1) allowed 3 hits while striking out 3.
Chiefs starter Hector Hernandez nearly matched Lee pitch for pitch. In 8 innings, Hernandez allowed 1 run on 5 hits while walking 3 and striking out 6. He threw 125 pitches.
Reliever Thomas Lee (2-1) took the loss, finishing with 1.1 innings to his name and allowing the winning run. Russell didn't record an out, but threw the wild pitch with Quesada at bat.
NEXT GAME:
Sunday, June 30 v. Peoria Chiefs (Cardinals)-2:05 p.m. Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium
Cedar Rapids: RHP Tim Atherton (4-2, 2.70) v. Peoria: RHP Silfredo Garcia (2-1, 4.95)
Radio: KMRY 1450 AM/93.1 FM & www.kernels.com
Promotions: Run the Bases Sunday, presented by 104.5 KDAT! Chuck Fulton Home Run Derby, presented by Perfect Game USA, after the game that is FREE for boys and girls age 12 and under! Bike to the Ballpark, presented by New Belgium Brewing/Fleck Sales! World-class juggler Doug Sayers! Play Baseball Bingo, sponsored by Travel Advisors and The Radisson near Mall of America!
Tickets: Available at www.kernels.com or at the Kernels Ticket Office at Veterans Memorial Stadium, 319-896-7650 (Monday-Friday 10-5, Saturday 10-2)