[rink23]

Record: 1-1, 2nd (Tied/w. Cedar Rapids), 1 GB Quad City
Cedar Rapids jumped on St. Louis starting pitcher Kaneo Kawamoto for two runs on the top of the first inning, and the River Walkers never got on the scoreboard as the Grapplers won 4-0 at Busch Stadium (1997).
Cedar Rapids lead-off hitter Jerrion Ealy reached on a throwing error by Kawamoto.
He scored two hitters later when Jose Morillo hit an inside-the-park home run.
Kawamoto was still on the mound to start the sixth when the Grapplers would score their other two runs.
Hammond and Rhys Hoskins led off the inning with singles, before Josiah Miller struck out for the first out.
Cory Tiller replaced Kawamoto and allowed a run-scoring single to Miguel Mena.
After a fielder's choice, Tiller struck out Brandon Martorano for what should have been the third out, but the ball eluded catcher Jared Thomas.
That allowed Martorano to score, and Hoskins to score to make it 4-0.
Cedar Rapids starting pitcher Edwin Rivera duplicated the effort from River Walkers starter Angel Tiburcio the game before, with seven shutout innings.
Rivera (1-0) allowed three hits, while striking out five and issuing one walk.
Matt Wailzer pitched a scoreless eighth inning.
Victor Ortiz did the same in the ninth.