April 14th game in a word

DOZEN

The Rattlers left a dozen men on base in the 4-2 loss to the Kernels. The bases were left loaded in the first and ninth. Plus, the lead-off man got on board in the seventh and eighth, but no runs were scored.

Rattler starter Marwin Vega had trouble in the second inning. One error a dropped through to first for what should have been the second out of the inning eventually led to three unearned runs.

The first hit of the inning was a six or seven hopper through where the Luis Valbuena would have been playing if Cedar Rapids didn't execute the hit-and-run to perfection.

The next batter was Madison Edwards and Vega broke his bat, but the ball just dropped into left field for an RBI single and a 2-0 lead.

The last two runs of the inning really hurt. Ryan Leahy sent a one-hopper to Robby Hudson at third. It should have been an inning ending 5-4-3 double play. In fact, I was so sure that I took the inning break. But, Valbuena did not make contact with the base when he got the throw from Hudson for the force out on Madison. So, Leahy was out 5-4-3, but the Kernels had runners at second and third with two outs.

What do you think would happen next?

If you guessed that Brad Coon would single in two runs for a 4-0 lead, you would be correct.

Give Vega credit. He settled down after the second and kept it close. The offense got going, but still couldn't crack through at home for a big inning.

In six games at Fox Cities Stadium this season, the Rattlers have score a total of fifteen runs. In the four home losses, they have scored only five runs.

Those stats will probably show up in the game notes for tomorrow.