Cedar Rapids Kernels at Quad City River Bandits
April 6th, 2002
| Cedar Rapids |
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3 |
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1 |
2 |
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7 |
10 |
0 |
| Quad City |
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3 |
E-Quickstad, Torres, Sandoval, LOB CR-7, QC-6, 2B-Melgarejo, Mathis, Murphy 2, Nevins, Kubel, SB-Murphy, Kuhaulua, HBP-Kennedy, SACF-Cahill, Turner
HB-Wolensky, SO-Kotchman, Porter, McPherson 2, Nevins, Cahill, Turner, Quickstad, Mauer 2, Torres, Sandoval 3, Kubel, Huff 2, Kennedy, BB-Melgarejo, Kotchman, McPherson, Turner, Quickstad 2, Kuhaulua, Torres, Tamburrino
U-Josh Miller, Todd Walters
T-2:28, A-556
Cedar Rapdis Gazette
Ervin Santana and David Wolensky combined on a one hit shutout to lead the Cedar Rapids Kernels to a 7-0 victory over the QUad City River Bandits Saturday night.
Santana picked up the win, giving up one hit and striking out five in five innings. Wolensky allowed one walk and struck out six in four innings of relief.
Tommy Murphy was 2 for 4 with two runs scored and two RBI for Cedar Rapids. Murphy hit a two out double to drive in two runs in the top of the third to give the Kernels a 3-0 lead.
Cedar Rapids tallied their first run when Jeff Mathis doubled home Ransel Melgarejo, also in the third inning.
The Kernels added single runs in the sixth and seventh innings, and two runs in the eighth inning.
Mathis, Casey Kotchman, Murphy and Ryan Nevins all had two hits for Cedar Rapids.
The Kernels (2-1) and River Bandits (1-2) will play a three game series in Cedar Rapids today through Tuesday.
Quad City Times
by Steve Batterson
After watching his team muster one hit for the second time in three days, Quad City River Bandits manager Jeff Carter believes it is time for an early season attitude adjustment.
"In this game, you've got to be a little cocky at times. You've got to have confidence that you're a good hitter. Even if you're 0 for 15, you've got to believe you'll get a hit that 16th time," Carter said following Saturday's 7-0 Midwest League loss to Cedar Rapids.
The Kernels' Ervin Santana and David Wolensky frustrated the River Bandits at John O'Donnell Stadium, combining to strike out 11 and allowing the River Bandits to enjoy only a second inning double by Jason Kubel.
Pitchers dominated the three game series between the teams, and Carter said it's time for Quad City hitters to help their own pitchers a bit.
"Those guys are keeping us in games, setting a good pace and striking out batters, which is what we like to see. Now it's time to see if the offense is up to the challange." Carter said.
Carter senses that his t eam has been a little too tentative in it's first three games of the season and a little too selective on fastballs.
"Im hoping I'm wrong, but it seems like some guys have been afraid to make outs instead of trusting themselves," Carter said, "It's like Floyd (Rayford, Bandits hitting coach) says, you have to have a little grit in your craw. You have to relax and play the game, just relax and play the game."
That didn't happen Saturday, Outfielders Barry Quickstad and Digno Torres dropped fly balls, error that allowed the Kernels to extended a 3-0 lead they opened the third inning on run scoring doubles by Jeff Mathis and Tommy Murphy.
Cedar Rapids leadoff batters reached base seven times. "The way we continued to scratch out extra runs pleased me more than the three spot we put up in the third." Kernels manager Todd Claus said, "Any time you get that leadoff guy on, it can make a big difference. It gives you a great chance."
Through 34 innings of baseball. Quad City leadoff hitters have reached first base 10 times and the team has scored run in just three innings.
"We just have to keep working at it and keep the right frame of mind." Carter said, "It's early".
Notes
With starting pitchers on a strict pitch count during the opening weeks of the Midwest League season, successful calls to the bullpen are a necessity.
After using six arms in Friday's 16 inning win over Cedar Rapids. Quad City River Bandits pitching coach Gary Lucas expected to be a little short handed Saturday.
He just didn't realize how shorthanded he would be.
Reliever J.C. Contreras suffered a cut on the thumb of his pitching hand while moving furniture into his Quad City apartment Saturday morning, an injury that made him unavailable for use during the River Bandits loss to the Kernels.
Lucas said Gates expierenced some elbow problems in the outing, and while his work on Friday and Saturday will preclude him from starting Monday, his health status will be examined further today.
"He had a few problems in spring training and felt he could pitch through it, but he mentioned to the trainer (Cory Andrews) that it was bothering him, so we'll see how that plays out." Lucas said.
Acrobatic start
Not all the entertainment Saturday night at John O'Donnell Stadium came during the game.
Cedar Rapids equitment manager Ron Plein, known to Quad City fans as 'Roadrunner' from his whistle toting crowd control days with the Quad City club in the 1980s. Drew a round of applause and some laughter after he chased sheets of paper that blew out of the Kernels dugout during the National Anthem.
Somewhat resembling a dog chasing it's tail. Plein scurried around as he tried to quickly scoop up the papers.
As Cedar Rapids players gave Plein some good natured ribbing, he earned a pat on the rump from Kernels manager Todd Claus.
Topping 2001
With two wins in three games against the River Bandits. Cedar Rapids already is one win ahead of it's season win total against Quad City a year ago.
The River Bandits lost just once in 2001 to a Kernels team that finished 17 games under .500
Quick Trip
The Quad City River Bandits begin a three day road trip today at Cedar Rapids, where Quad City will be the first opponent at that team's new stadium.
Workers with the Estes Company, the general contractor, spent Saturday working to make the 5,300 seat facility playable today. Some work, including the paving of parking lots and installation of tri vision advertising boards on the outfield fences, will not be completed until later this spring.
The River Bandits will find some new sod in foul territory. Sod laid in early March was replaced Thursday.
Quad City returns home Wednesday, when a three game homestand against Clinton opens.
On the Air
Although the River Bandits are on the road, fans still can follow the action this season.
Unilke a year ago, when flooding led team officals to cancel planned radio broadcasts as a cost containment measure, all 140 Quad City games are being broadcast on WKBF (1270 am) this season. New staff member Andrew Rudnik is handling play by play duties.
How They Scored
Kernels 3rd
Justin Turner walked, was forced out at second on a fielder's choice by Ransel Melgarejo. Jeff Mathis doubled to left, scoring Melgarejo. Casey Kotchman struck out. Greg Porter reached on an infield single, moving Mathis to second. Dallas McPherson walked, loaded the bases. Tommy Murphy doubled to left, scoring Mathis and Porter. McPherson was thrown out attempting to score.
Kernels 3, Bandits 0
Kernels 6th
Murphy reached on a fieldering error by Barry Quickstad in center. Nevins singled to left, scoring Murphy. Nevins was thrown out attempting to reach second. Jon Cahill struck out. Turner grounded out third.
Kernels 4, Bandits 0
Kernels 7th
Melgarejo doubled to left advancing to third on a groundout by Mathis. Kotchman walked, Porter grounded out to first scoring Melgarejo and moving Kotchman to second. McPherson flew out to left.
Kernels 5, Bandits 0
Kernels 8th
Murphy doubled to right center, stole third. Nevins struck out. Cahill reached third on a fielding error by Digno Torres in left, scoring Murphy. Cahill scored on a sacrifice fly to left center by Turner. Melgarejo grounded out to short.
Kernels 7,Bandits 0