[rink23]

Record: 73-52, 2nd, 2 GB Springfield
Santos Villanueva staked Cedar Rapids to a 4-0 lead with a first-inning grand slam and Grapplers starting pitcher Jordyn Ibarra and their bullpen held St. Louis pretty much in check, as they posted a 4-1 win at Busch Stadium (2006).
The victory allowed the Grapplers to salvage the finale of the three-game series. It also ended a six-game win streak for the River Walkers.
Once again, when St. Louis starting pitcher Kevin Hrdlicka runs into trouble it usually come early.
This time, it began when lead-off hitter Mark Hill reached on an error by third baseman Bob Saavedra.
Jose Morillo followed with a double.
A walk to Eric Gerhardt loaded the bases.
Hrdlicka struck out both Tim Jurgensen and David Henderson.
But he could not close the deal as Santos hit a 1-1 pitch 396 feet over the wall in right for a slam.
Ibarra (3-1), who was making his first start of the season, allowed one run on seven hits over the first five innings. He struck out five and didn't issue a walk.
Michele Vassalotti, Justin Sterner, Jim Cole and Antonio Echevaria all followed with scoreless innings.
Echevaria earned his second save.