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Kernels’ comeback is short, Wisconsin beats Cedar Rapids 4-3

Cedar Rapids kernels

July 21, 2024 – Midwest League (MWL)
Press Release about Cedar Rapids Kernels

Cedar Rapids, IA – The Kernels scored three times in the ninth inning but left the tying run at second base, helping Wisconsin hold on for a 4-3 victory over Cedar Rapids on Saturday night.

It didn’t take long for the Timber Rattler offense to get going. To start the game, Luis Lara singled, stole second, advanced to third on a wild pitch, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Luke Adams to put Wisconsin up 1-0. With two outs in the inning, two more hits put two runners on base for Ramon Rodriguez, who scored two more with a two-run double to make it 3-0 Wisconsin in the first inning.

That held the score until the ninth inning. Wisconsin starter Tate Kuehner allowed no runs in five shutout frames, allowing just three hits and striking out five. Behind him, Mark Manfredi allowed no runs in his 2.1 innings as a reliever, striking out five and hitting just one.

Not to be outdone, Mike Paredes was just as good out of the Cedar Rapids bullpen. Relieving starter Darren Bowen, Paredes gave up no runs in 4.1 innings, striking out three in his scoreless outing.

In the top of the ninth, Wisconsin added a big insurance run. Matt Wood doubled to start the frame, and after being pinch-hit for a run, Felix Valerio scored three batters later on a Tayden Hall RBI single to put the Timber Rattlers up 4-0.

That insurance run proved to be the difference. In the ninth inning, Rubel Cespedes led off the rally with a one-out single. The next batter, Kevin Maitan, then doubled to right field and Cespedes scored on the play on an error to put the Kernels on the board at 4-1. Behind Maitan, Jay Harry was hit by a pitch to put two runners on, and after a strikeout, the runners remained on first and second for Misael Urbina, who drove home both and nearly missed a home run with a double off the wall to make it 4-3. With the tying run on second and two outs, Aaron Rund struck out to end the game as Wisconsin held on to win 4-3.

The loss evens the series with the Timber Rattlers at 1-1 and puts Cedar Rapids at 51-36 on the season and 14-9 in the second half. The series finale and rubber match of the three-game series is scheduled for tomorrow at 1:05, with Jordan Carr on the mound opposite Will Rudy.

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