Peoria downs Kernels 8-3

 

 

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - The Kernels fell to the Peoria Chiefs, 8-3, on Saturday night. Sunday is the final game of the series and of the first half of the season.

For a second straight night, Patrick Wisdom put Peoria in front early with a solo home run, this time in the top of the 2^nd inning. The first three batters of the 3^rd reached base for the Chiefs, with Brett Wiley eventually scoring on a double play groundout by Ildemaro Vargas.

The Chiefs scored for the third inning in a row, pushing across 4 runs in the 4^th. The first four batters reached base, with Jordan Walton scoring on an RBI single by Wisdom to record the first run of the frame. Then Jimmy Parque put a dent in the line score. Parque powered a 3-run home run on a 0-1 pitch over the right field wall to extend Peoria's lead at 6-0.

Dalton Hicks led off the bottom of the 4^th with a home run, his 11^th of the season. But Chiefs starter Hector Hernandez retired the next 3 batters in order to end any threat of a comeback in the inning.

With 1 out in the 6^th, Jesus Montero put the Chiefs up 7-1 with a solo home run of his own.

The Kernels narrowed that deficit with 2 runs in the 7^th as Travis Harrison connected for a solo homer and Byron Buxton later singled home Candido Pimentel, who tripled one pitch earlier.

Wiley hit a 2-out RBI triple in the 8^th to score Montero, and extended the Chiefs lead to 8-3. Overall, the Chiefs outhit the Kernels 12 to 6. Wisdom finished 2-for-4 and is 5-for-9 for the series. Harrison finished the contest 2-for-4, the only Kernel to record a multi-hit game.

Kernels starter Hudson Boyd (1-4) allowed 6 runs on 7 hits in 3.2 innings. Caleb Brewer spelled Boyd, throwing 2.1 innings, allowing 1 run on 3 hits. Tim Atherton struck out 3 in 3 innings.

Hernandez (4-2) exited after 7, allowing 3 runs on 5 hits while striking out 9. Relievers Samuel Tuivailala and Thomas Lee combined for two scoreless innings, allowing just 1 hit and striking out 2.

NEXT GAME:

Sunday, June 16 v. Peoria Chiefs (Cardinals) - 2:05 p.m.

Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium                           

Cedar Rapids: LHP Mason Melotakis (6-2, 3.24) v. Peoria: RHP Silfredo Garcia (2-1, 4.83)

Radio:   KMRY 1450 AM/93.1 FM & www.kernels.com

Promotions: Run the Bases Sunday, presented by 104.5 KDAT! Run the bases, play catch in the outfield, & get autographs from the Kernels after the game! Enjoy Papa Balloon & Face Painting by Kennedy! Play Baseball Bingo, sponsored by Travel Advisors & The Radisson near the Mall of America for a chance to win a trip to see the Twins play in Minneapolis!

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)