Lumberkings drop close one after pass ball

Again, this is copied/pasted from my blog. I know some people here read it, but I thought I'd save some time and effort by just posting this here.  Enjoy!!

Clinton Lumberkings starter Ryan Tatusko (shown below this paragraph) breezed through six innings against a tough Cedar Rapids team. The Kernels had put up more than 580 runs throughout the season, but Tatusko held them scoreless and virtually off the base paths for the first two-thirds of Sunday's game. Then, the wheels came off in the 7th. Kernels' Hector Estrella earned a lead-off walk and advanced to third on a Julio Perez single. A pass ball allowed Estrella to score while Perez moved to third. Perez scored on a Gabe Jacobo single, which was followed by two fielders' choices and a single before Tatusko recorded the third out.

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The Kernels weren't the only ones with bat problems. The Lumberkings managed just one run on seven hits. Left fielder Cristian Santana recorded three of those hits, but was twice erased on hits by Jose Felix. The other four hits came from Davis Stonebruner (2B), Mitch Moreland (2B), Justin Smoak (solo  HR) and Andres James (1B). Andres James had an amazing single in his first at bat when he legged out an infield hit. That kid has some wheels.  Outfielders Engel Beltre and Tim Murphy showed off their powerful arms. They didn't record any outs that way, but their tosses held a few runners 90 feet shorter than the Kernels wanted. I don't know how to describe Justin Smoak's HR (photo below), except to say that I knew it was gone right off the bat.  And it went out at the deepest part of the park -- left center field over a sign that said 407.  It was beautiful.

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KISS: Ryan Tatusko and Ryan Turner, who teamed up to hold the Kernels to just two runs. Tatusko surrendered both runs on five hits, one walk and five Ks over seven innings. At least three of Tatusko's Ks came on his change-up. Turner notched two Ks and gave up just one hit in one inning of work.

MISS: Jose Felix and Engel Beltre were both 0 for 4, but Felix hit into a double play and was responsible for the pass ball that allowed the Kernels to score.

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Veterans Memorial Stadium in Cedar Rapids gets a big thumbs up from me. It's fairly easy to find (although streets need better markings).  It's super clean. The concessions are reasonable and yummy. The staff was unbelievably friendly and efficient. Parking was great.  The grounds were beautiful (especially considering the early summer floods).  I would love to go back there to watch a game.  I have just one minor league park in Iowa yet to visit -- Burlington -- and I will try to make it there next summer.

Random -- I could not get over how much Cody Eppley looks like he could be Ian Kinsler's long lost brother.  Check it out for yourself.

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To see more of my photos  click here.