Metro Sports Report

Chiefs 'slam' pennant door shut on Kernels

Un-freaking-believable.

The Cedar Rapids Kernels came so close to winning the pennant for the first half of the Midwest League season Sunday.

They could taste it.

The Kernels owned a 9-5 lead over the Peoria Chiefs with one out in the top of the ninth, thanks to a three-run homer and six RBIs by Dalton Hicks.

Meanwhile, the Beloit Snappers were losing their game to Clinton in the bottom of the eighth inning in Wisconsin.

If both games had ended there -- with Cedar Rapids winning and Beloit losing -- the Kernels would have claimed the Western Division pennant.

The Father's Day crowd of 3,302 fans at Veterans Memorial Stadium was ready to celebrate. The television cameras were ready to capture the moment. And then disaster struck.

Local players in pro baseball

SCOTT SCHEBLER (Prairie, Rancho Cucamonga (Dodgers)) - Started in left field Sunday and was 1-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs in the Quakes' 6-4 loss to Stockton. After sitting out four straight games, Schebler was 10-for-21 with three homers, three doubles and six RBIs in his last five games to end the first half.  Season stats: G - 56, Avg. - .277, AB - 206, H - 57, HR - 9, RBI - 30, SB - 7.

KELLEN SWEENEY (Jefferson, Lansing (Blue Jays)) - Started at third base Sunday and was 1-for-2 in the Lugnuts' 8-0 loss to Bowling Green. Season stats: G - 56, Avg. - .191, AB - 183, H - 35, HR - 3, RBI - 14, SB - 0.

RYAN SWEENEY (Xavier, Chicago Cubs) - Started in center field Sunday and was 0-for-4 in the Cubs' 4-3 loss to the Mets. Season stats: G - 32, Avg. - .319, AB - 69, H - 22, HR - 1, RBI - 5, SB - 0.

Kernels enter final day in trouble

Mason Melotakis planned to relax, get plenty of rest Saturday night and not worry about his big assignment as the starting pitcher for the Cedar Rapids Kernels on Sunday.

The Kernels face a "must-win" situation Sunday as they chase a first-half pennant in the Midwest League.

The Kernels must beat Peoria Sunday to retain any hope of winning the pennant, but that's not enough. The Beloit Snappers must lose to Clinton on Sunday as well for Cedar Rapids to finish in first place.

That's the predicament the fading Kernels face after losing to Peoria, 8-3, Saturday night before 4,373 fans at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Local players in pro baseball

SCOTT SCHEBLER (Prairie, Rancho Cucamonga (Dodgers)) - Started in left field Saturday and was 3-for-5 with a double and two runs scored in the Quakes' 7-6 loss to Stockton. After sitting out four straight games, Schebler is 9-for-17 with two homers, three doubles and four RBIs in his last four games.  Season stats: G - 55, Avg. - .277, AB - 202, H - 56, HR - 8, RBI - 28, SB - 7.

KELLEN SWEENEY (Jefferson, Lansing (Blue Jays)) - Started at first base Saturday and was 1-for-3, collecting one of the Lugnuts' two hits, in a 5-1 loss to Bowling Green. Season stats: G - 55, Avg. - .188, AB - 181, H - 34, HR - 3, RBI - 14, SB - 0.

RYAN SWEENEY (Xavier, Chicago Cubs) - Started in center field Saturday and was 2-for-4 with two doubles in the Cubs' 5-2 win over the Mets. Season stats: G - 31, Avg. - .338, AB - 65, H - 22, HR - 1, RBI - 5, SB - 0.