Peoria Chiefs at Cedar Rapids Kernels
April 17th, 2002
| Peoria |
|
|
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
0 |
3 |
0 |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
4 |
6 |
1 |
| Cedar Rapids |
|
|
0 |
0 |
2 |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
|
3 |
9 |
5 |
E-Nelson, Melgarejo, Kotchman, Turner 2, Murphy, LOB PEO-8, CR-9, 2B-Nelson, Melgarejo, SB-Gorneault, Turner, CS-Murphy
BK-Haren, SO-Simoneaux, Lemon, Duncan, Johnson 3, Nelson, Asadoorian, Melgarejo, Mathis, Kotchman, Porter 2, Gorneault, Murphy 2, Welch 2, BB-Roman, Johnson, Nelson, Asadoorian, Melgarejo 2, McPherson, Turner
T-2:20, A-1,690
Cedar Rapdis Gazette
by Jeff Dahn
The ghosts of 2001 haunted the 2002 Cedar Rapids Kernels Wednesday night.
The Kernels, who played almost flawless baseball in their first 12 games, commited five errors that led to four unearned runs and lost to the Peoria Chiefs, 4-3, in Midwest League baseball on a beautiful spring evening at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
Cedar Rapids (8-5) had commited six errors coming into last night's game, played before an announced crowd of 1,690.
"That's baseball," Kernels Manager Todd Claus said, "Our guys have done a great job. They've prepared, they've worked hard and it's baseball. Big league teams make errors, big leaguers make errors. Tonight we just happend to bunch a bunch together. No matter who you're playing, if you give a team five extra outs, they're going to beat you."
The Kernels had a chance to at least tie the game in the ninth. Chief closer Joel Barreto walking in a run with two out in the frame to bring the Kernels within one. He then struck out Jeff Mathis swinging to end the game.
"The next time we're in that situation, we hope to produce, but I tell you one thing, that's the guy i want up with that last out." Claus said
Cedar Rapids starter Jake Woods (0-1) paid most dearly for the Kernels miscues, being credited with four unearned runs in five pretty decent innings. Woods and relievers Mark O'Sullivan, Adam Thomas and Steve Andrade limited the Chiefs (9-4) to six hits.
Peoria manager Danny Sheaffer sounded like a man who knew he had dodged a bullet, even though starter Danny Haren threw seven innings of six hit ball with eight strikeouts.
"Danny threw a great ball game." Sheaffer said, "He got us in a position where we could use our setup man and our closer even though we made it too close to comfort."
Claus said he's not concerned about his team's inability to win these early one run games.
It's been addressed, but it's not a concern," he said, "We know they've all been by one run, and i've publicly said that the good teams win one run games. You have to find a way to win those games, whether it's getting a bunt down or advancing on a ball in the dirt. It's about the little things. Little things win games."
Kernels leadoff hitter Ransel Melgarejo had two hits to extended his hitting streak to eight games. He's 16 of 28 over that stretch t move his average from .182 to .392.
In a roster move, Dan Mozingo, a 21 year old left handed pitcher from Ashtabula, Phio was assigned to the Kernels by the parent Anaheim Angels.
How They Scored
Top 3rd
Peoria's John Nelson hit a one out single and eventually scored on an error by Casey Kotchman
Bottom 3rd
Tommy Murphy singled, advanced to second on a balk, moved to third on a single by Ransel Melgarejo, then scored on infield out from Dallas McPherson. Melgarejo scored on an infield single by Jeff Mathis.
Top 5th
Tim Lemon followed an RBI single by Jesse Roman with a two run single as the Chiefs sent nine batters to the plate and left the bases loaded. The Kernels commited three errors
Bottom 9th
Dallas McPherson drew a walk with the bases loaded forcing in Justin Turner. Jeff Mathis struck out with the bases loaded to end the game.