[rink23]

Record: 41-31, 2nd, 3.5 GB Springfield
Kevin Hrdlicka limited Cedar Rapids to one run over the first seven innings -- and he also drove in the game's first two runs with a single -- as St. Louis defeated Cedar Rapids 6-2 at Connie Mack Stadium (1960).
It's been an up-and-down season for Hdrlicka, but this was one of his better starts.
He allowed the Grapplers a fifth-inning run on an RBI single from Miguel Mena to make the score 2-1.
But by the time he allowed a pair of singles to open the eighth, the River Walkers led 5-1.
Hrdlicka (6-7) left the game with a line of two runs on five hits allowed in seven innings. He struck out five and walked two.
Rookie lefty Frank Jimenez would allow a run on a Mark Hill single.
But Jimenez recorded the first out in the ninth and Jesse Gaither recorded the other two -- sandwiched around a Ryan Cleaver homer -- as the Walkers took the win.
The Walkers jumped in front with a pair of runs off Cedar Rapids starting pitcher Joey Ross in the top of the second.
Most of it happened with two outs.
Alex Nunez did single with one out, but after a fly out by Wen He, Mario Villa reached on an error by third baseman Matt Thurston.
Abdul-Nasser bin Amr then drew a walk to load the bases.
Hrdlicka made them pay with a two-run single.
St. Louis added three more runs in the top of the sixth against the Grapplers bullpen.
Manuel Coke led off the inning with a double off Anton Melendez.
Mark Herman was then issued an intentional walk.
Nunez hit into a double play before Wen He was issued the second intentional walk of the inning.
Mario Villa spoiled that strategy with a two-run double.
bin Amr received his second intentional walk of the game.
Hrdlicka was hit by a pitch to load the bases.
Bob Saavedra then made it 5-1 with a single, scoring Villa.
Coke added an insurance run with his 18th home run of the season in the top of the ninth off Bob Singer.