Kernels rally again to beat Clinton, 2-1

For the second night in a row, the Cedar Rapids Kernels rallied in the late innings to defeat the Clinton LumberKings, 2-1, at Alliant Energy Field in Clinton on Thursday. Kernels starter Stephen Locke (6-3) allowed a run on four hits and struck out four over six innings and Johnny Hellweg worked around a one-out walk to strike out the side and earn his 12th save.

In the top of the seventh, Michael Wing singled and went to second on a wild pitch by Clinton starter Jimmy Gillheeney. After Justin Bass walked, Jon Karcich doubled to right to score Wing. Hampton Tignor, playing in his first game as a Kernel, put down a sacrifice bunt to score Bass with the eventual game-winning run.

Young-Il Jung and David Carpenter combined with Hellweg for three hitless innings of relief, striking out a combined seven. Gillheeney (8-8) allowed two runs on six hits and struck out five over seven innings and Gabriel Noriega drove in Clinton's only run.

With the win, the Kernels improve to 7-1 on their nine game road trip, 20-11 in the second half and 63-36 overall. Clinton falls to 14-17 and 51-49 overall. The two teams wrap up their three game series on Friday night at 7:00 pm as John Rodgers brings you the action on the radio home of Kernels baseball, 1450 KMRY AM. Fans may listen on-line at www.kmryradio.com, or www.kernels.com.

The Kernels return to Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Saturday, July 31st and open a three game set with the Quad Cities River Bandits, the MWL affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. Tickets may be ordered on-line at www.kernels.com, or by calling the Kernels Ticket Office at 896-7560. Ticket office hours are 10 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday, and 10 am to 2 pm on Saturday.