Metro Sports Report

Atherton making most of 2nd chance

Cedar Rapids Kernels Manager Jake Mauer smiles when he talks about Tim Atherton and the job he's doing with the ballclub this season.

Five years ago, Mauer was the guy who called Atherton into his office and told him the Twins were releasing him from their team in the Rookie Gulf Coast League after an incident in a Florida hotel.

Atherton, from Australia, was 18 and an outfielder at the time. He bounced around after the Twins let him go, but Minnesota gave him another chance a few years ago and signed him as a pitcher. He's flourishing now in his new role and a key member of the Kernels this season.

Atherton pitched seven strong innings Monday night as Cedar Rapids trimmed Peoria, 3-1, before 1,132 fans at Veterans Memorial Stadium to climb a season-high 35 games over the .500 mark at 83-48.

'Luke' teaches Kernels the right stuff

Gary Lucas enjoyed his share of thrills in the major leagues with the Padres, Expos and Angels in the 1980's. He made a few million dollars, pitched in the American League playoffs, rode private jets, stayed in five-star hotels, played on the same team with Hall of Famers and led all National League pitchers in appearances one year.

Lucas, or "Luke" as everyone calls him, pitched in the big leagues before any of his current students on the Cedar Rapids Kernels were born, but they know all about him thanks to the Internet and those long bus rides around the Midwest League.

"On the bus, we actually had videos of him pitching," Kernels left-hander Brett Lee said, smiling at the vision of the 6-foot-5 lefty on the mound. "It was interesting to watch. Different times back then."

Campbell joins MSR staff as writer

Clete Campbell, a prize-winning sports journalist who spent 12 years at the Dubuque Telegraph Herald, has joined the Metro Sports Report staff as a reporter.

Campbell, a graduate of Loras College, served as the Telegraph Herald's beat writer for the University of Iowa football team (2007-April 2013) and the University of Wisconsin football team (2001-2007). He left the paper earlier this year to pursue other interests.

Campbell has covered a wide range of high school, small college and major college stories during his career. He also has worked for the Kankakee Daily Journal and the Ottawa Daily Times during his career.

Campbell won the "Best Sports Story" award from the Iowa Associated Press Editors Association in 2007.

Local players in pro baseball

RYAN SWEENEY (Xavier, Chicago Cubs) - Placed on disabled list June 30 with fractured rib. Expected to return Sept. 1. Season stats: G - 44, Avg. - .295, AB - 112, H - 33, HR - 4, RBI - 15, SB - 1.

SCOTT SCHEBLER (Prairie, Rancho Cucamonga (Dodgers)) - Started in right field Monday and was 0-for-4 in the Quakes' 4-1 win over Lancaster. Season stats: G - 118, Avg. - .302, AB - 454, H - 137, HR - 27, RBI - 90, SB - 15.

KELLEN SWEENEY (Jefferson, Lansing (Blue Jays)) - The Lugnuts were idle Tuesday. Season stats: G - 103, Avg. - .181, AB - 331, H - 60, HR - 5, RBI - 28, SB - 1.

ANDREW HANSE (Linn-Mar, Bowling Green (Rays)) - The Hot Rods were idle Tuesday. Season stats: W - 1. L - 0. Sv - 1. ERA - 0.61. G - 8. IP - 14.2. H - 12. BB - 1. SO - 17.

CHAD CHRISTENSEN (Washington, GCL Twins (Twins)) - Did not play Monday in the Twins' 8-2 loss to the GCL Rays. Season stats: G - 44, Avg. - .235, AB - 153, H - 36, HR - 2, RBI - 20, SB - 4.

JON KELLER (Xavier, GCL Orioles (Orioles)) - Was the starting pitcher Monday and worked 2.2 innings, allowing five hits and five runs (three earned), while fanning five in the Orioles' 7-0 loss to the GCL Red Sox. Season stats: W - 1. L - 2. Sv - 0. ERA - 4.11. G - 6. IP - 15.1. H - 17. BB - 2. SO - 18.