Chiefs Drop Fourth Straight to Kernels
Cedar Rapids, IA- The Kernels broke a two-all tie in the eighth to secure their fourth straight win over the Chiefs by a score of 3-2 Saturday at Veterans Memorial Stadium. The Kernels put runners on second and third with one out. Edwin Nunez entered the game to face Kala’i
Cedar Rapids, IA- The Kernels broke a two-all tie in the eighth to secure their fourth straight win over the Chiefs by a score of 3-2 Saturday at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
The Kernels put runners on second and third with one out. Edwin Nunez entered the game to face Kala’i Rosario. Rosario popped the 3-1 pitch behind home plate, playable for catcher Jimmy Crooks, who had a ball pop out of his glove. Rosario grounded the next pitch to second base, allowing the go-ahead run to score to make it 3-2.
Rosario had two RBI in the contest. The Kernels opened the scoring in the bottom of the first against Chiefs starter Max Rajcic. After two free passes put the first two batters on, a wild pitch moved them to scoring position. Rosario grounded to short to produce the games first run.
Peoria answered to tie the game at one in the top of the second against Cedar Rapids starter Kyle Jones. Darlin Moquete and Thomas Francisco hit back-to-back singles to start the inning. Moquete scored on a wild pitch to even the score.
The Kernels quickly got the lead back in the second. Two consecutive singles set up a Kyler Fedko sacrifice fly to make it 2-1.
Rajcic settled in after the Kernels went ahead, allowing just one hit and two other base runners to finish his outing. The Cardinals number 16 prospect went six innings, allowing two runs on three hits, walking two and fanning five.
Peoria tied the game at two in the fifth inning. Francisco Hernandez singled with one out and later moved to third on a ground out. Jones balked with Nathan Church at the plate, which brought Hernandez home to knot the contest.
Jones finished with six innings of work, allowing two runs on five hits, walking one and striking out two.
Hernandez and Church had two hits each. Hernandez is now 6-for-11 in the series with three runs scored and is now hitting .368 against Cedar Rapids in 2023.
Cedar Rapids improved to 55-34 and 15-8 in the second half. Peoria falls to 46-43 and 13-10 in the latter half.
The final game of this six game series is scheduled for Sunday at 1:05 p.m.