Kernels beat Peoria, 1 game from Midwest League finals

PEORIA, Ill. - Well, that's a perfect time to hit your first home run in awhile.

Max Murphy hit a two-run shot in the seventh inning to lift the Cedar Rapids Kernels past Peoria, 3-2, in Game 1 of the Midwest League Western Division finals.

It was Murphy's first homer since June 21. It made a deserved winner of starting pitcher Keaton Steele, who threw eight innings of two-hit ball, retiring the final 17 guys he faced.

The Kernels need one more win to advance to the Midwest League finals for the first time since 1994. They host Peoria at 4:05 Sunday afternoon.

A deciding Game 3 would be Monday night at 6:35 at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Cedar Rapids took the lead in the top of the first inning on a two-out RBI ground-rule double to right-center field by LaMonte Wade. That scored Rafael Valera, who led off with a walk.

Peoria tied it in the bottom of the first on a sacrifice fly by Harrison Bader. That would be the only run scored against Steele, who was dominant, not walking anyone and striking out nine.

In the seventh, Chris Paul was hit by a Matt Pearce pitch with one out. Murphy followed with his blast to left.

Nick Anderson pitched the ninth for the save, though it was tenuous. Kenny Peoples-Walls led off with a triple, scoring on a Daren Seferina single. He stole second base, but Anderson struck out three to clinch it.