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Record: 73-63, 3rd, 10 GB Des Moines
Cedar Rapids built a 6-0 lead by St. Louis got on the board and the Golden Grapplers rolled to a 7-2 win at Busch Stadium (1997).
The big reason the Grapplers dominate early, five shutout innings from starting pitcher Rick Atkinson (10-9).
He would leave after pitching into the sixth, having allowed just one run on five hits. He struck out seven and walked none.
Cedar Rapids broke on top in the top of the second when Noah Naylor was hit by a pitch with two outs by Argenis Batista and scored when Alex Bregman followed with a triple.
Jacob Pearson had an RBI single and Dominic Smith drove in one with a two-out double in the third, also off Batista, as the Grapplers lead grew to 3-0.
Cedar Rapids broke it open in the top of the sixth by scoring thee times.
Atkinson drove in the first run himself, Naylor who had doubled off reliever Bill Warson, with a sacrifice fly.
Matt McLain later had a two-run single off Brent Suter.
An RBI single from Jean Carmona in the sixth off Kale Davis finally got the Walkers on the board.
Rhys Hoskins solo homer in the seventh made it 6-2.
But Joc Pederson answered with a solo shot of his own for the Grapplers in the eighth off Thad Ward.

Davis (1.2 IP) was the first of four Cedar Rapids relievers to take the mound.
He was followed by Jacob Rhame (0.1), Jason Hemauer (1.0) and Zach Schellenger (1.0).