Cedar Rapids Kernels Baseball

Mr. Shucks goes on '3-Day DL'

The Cedar Rapids Kernels' front office announced Wednesday that their beloved mascot, Mr. Shucks, was "injured" during Tuesday night's game and will be on the Disabled List for three days.

Mr. Shucks was not really hurt - there's actually a problem with the costume - but the Kernels decided to have some fun with the situation while their mascot is "on the mend."

"We hope to have Mr. Shucks return to our fans for Saturday night's game if all goes well with his recovery," said Kernels Entertainment Manager Ryne George.

Members of the Kernels team and staff were "noticeably shaken up" Tuesday evening when Mr. Shucks had to leave the game early, they said tongue in cheek.

"Mr. Shucks is a vital member of our Kernels family and we can't wait for his return," said Kernels General Manager Doug Nelson.

Fans are encouraged to send Mr. Shucks a "get well message" to help him recover even faster. Fans of any age wishing to send him a message can do so the following ways:

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/CedarRapidsKernels

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Mr_Shucks

Instagram: crkernels

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Mr. Shucks loves his fans and is heartbroken he has to miss games this week, the ballclub declared. He can't wait to be back at the ballpark withall of his Kernels friends!

Vavra excels despite blindness in eye

Tanner Vavra knows the question about his right eye is going to be asked in almost every interview, but he's learned to deal with the situation over the years.

The Kernels second baseman is blind in his right eye, the result of a fishing accident at age three and a subsequent injury suffered playing football several years later.

Vavra, the son of Minnesota Twins coach Joe Vavra, said questions about his eyesight don't bother him much anymore.

“It’s kind of come and gone. That used to be the biggest concern. People doubted me," he said.

“It irritated me for a while and it’s still a little chip, but I’m just trying to get rid of the whole, ‘You’re here because of your dad,’ type deal.

Read more...

Kernels rained out; twinbill Thursday

This time, the Cedar Rapids Kernels and Kane County Cougars did not even get started at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

After two wet and soggy nights at the ballpark Monday and Tuesday, the Kernels' game against the Cougars Wednesday night was postponed by rain and rescheduled as part of a doubleheader Thursday at 5:05 p.m. at Perfect Game Field.

It has been a cold, wet spring for all of the teams in the midwest, making it uncomfortable for players and fans alike.

The Kernels have drawn only 13,054 fans for 12 home games this season, an average of 1,088 fans per game. That compares to a total attendance of 15,501 fans through 12 home games last year, a decline of 15.8 percent so far.

Cedar Rapids ranks 14th out of 16 teams in the Midwest League in attendance, leading only the Burlington Bees and Beloit Snappers.

Kernels handed soggy loss by Cougars

For five innings, Tuesday night’s game between the Cedar Rapids Kernels and the Kane County Cougars looked like it would be a copy of Monday night’s rain-shortened contest.

Like the night before, the Kernels scored a run first and held on while light rains threatened to end the game early.

But unlike Monday, the serious rain held off and the two teams played the full nine innings. That allowed the Cougars to claw back, scoring once in the sixth inning and again in the seventh.

Kane County held on for a 2-1 win over Cedar Rapids in front of what remained of a sparse crowd of 607 fans at Veterans Memorial Stadium, snapping the Kernels' four-game winning streak.

After Kernels designated hitter Mitch Garver’s one-out double in the fourth inning, outfielder Zack Larson continued his hot clutch hitting with an RBI single to put the Kernels on top early.

Read more...

Christensen handling 'pressure' just fine

Pressure? What pressure?

If Chad Christensen is feeling any pressure about playing pro baseball for the home-town Cedar Rapids Kernels, he's doing a terrific job of disguising it.

Christensen took a healthy .323 batting average into Monday night's game against Kane County at Veterans Memorial Stadium and has become a fixture in the lineup, hitting third in the lineup for a winning ballclub. He also leads the Kernels in stolen bases, which is somewhat of a surprise.

Christensen enjoyed a 10-game hitting streak from April 6 through April 22 and had reached base in 14 straight games heading into Monday's affair at the ballpark.

Pressure?

Christensen said it doesn't feel much different than playing for the Hiawatha Cardinals, Linn County Lions or Washington Warriors when he was growing up in Cedar Rapids, and no different than playing at Nebraska.

"Not at all," he said Monday afternoon. "I've talked to Tommy (Kernels batting coach Tommy Watkins) about that as well. He used to play in Fort Myers, where he was from."

Read more...

Kernels' Hinojosa suspended 50 games

Cedar Rapids Kernels infielder Jonatan Hinojosa has received a 50-game suspension for violating baseball's drug policy.

Bob Nightengale, Major League Baseball columnist for USA TODAY Sports, reported via Twitter Saturday afternoon that Hinojosa tested positive for metabolites of Nandrolone, an anabolic steroid. Phil Miller, who covers the Twins for the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, also reported the suspension via Twitter.

Hinojosa, now listed on the Kernels' "Restricted" list, joined the Kernels from the Twins' extended spring training camp just a week ago when outfielder Jeremias Pineda was placed on the club's Disabled List. He played in just one game during his week with the Kernels, going hitless in three at-bats against Peoria April 23.

Hinojosa and Randy Rosario, who was placed on the Kernels' Disabled List Friday, have been replaced on the Cedar Rapids roster by outfielder Ivory Thomas and right-handed pitcher Todd Van Steensel.

Hinojosa, 21, is from the Dominican Republic. He was signed as a non-drafted free agent in 2009.

Slegers stars as Kernels belt Clinton

CLINTON - Aaron Slegers pitched a strong game and the Cedar Rapids Kernels erupted for their most runs of the season Sunday in a 12-1 victory over Clinton before 4,745 fans at Ashford University Field.

Slegers (2-0, 3.14 ERA) struck out eight batters in seven innings and did not walk anyone. He allowed one run on six hits and retired the final 13 batters he faced.

Chad Christensen and Zack Larson led the Kernels' 15-hit attack with three hits apiece. Ivory Thomas hit his first home run for Cedar Rapids and drove in three runs.

The Kernels swept the weekend series, 3-0.

Read more...

Sweeney hurts leg, placed on 15-day DL

Ryan Sweeney suffered a moderate strain to his right hamstring Friday while making a running catch in the outfield and has been placed on the 15-Day Disabled List, the Chicago Cubs announced Saturday.

Sweeney is expected to miss at least three weeks. He went 2-for-3 in Friday's 6-5 victory over St. Louis and drove in a run before being hurt and leaving the game.

Here is the report through Friday, May 2:

RYAN SWEENEY (Xavier), Chicago Cubs, OF: Sweeney raised his average to .200 (11 for 55) with 6 RBIs after going 2-for-3 against the Cardinals. The Cubs won, 6-5.

SCOTT SCHEBLER (CR Prairie), Chattanooga, OF, Double-A, Southern League(Dodgers): Schebler went 2-for-5 with a solo home run Friday. He is hitting .262 (27 for 103) with six homers and 18 RBIs.

KELLEN SWEENEY (CR Jefferson), Dunedin, IF, Advanced A, Florida State League (Blue Jays): Sweeney is on the 7-Day Disabled List and has not played this season.

CHAD CHRISTENSEN (CR Washington), Kernels, OF/IF, Class A, Midwest League (Twins): Christensen went 1-for-4 Friday with a walk and an RBI. He is hitting .295 (23 for 78) with 9 RBIs.

JON KELLER (Xavier), Delmarva, P, Class A, South Atlantic League (Orioles): Keller (0-0, 3.46, 1 save) did not pitch Friday.

ANDREW HANSE (Linn-Mar), Bowling Green, P, Class A, Midwest League (Tampa Bay): Hanse (0-2, 5.93) did not pitch Friday.

DAKOTA FREESE (Washington), Arizona Athletics, P, Rookie Arizona League: (Oakland): The Arizona Athletics have not begun their season.

Kernels withstand late Clinton rally

CLINTON - The Cedar Rapids Kernels held off a late rally by the Clinton LumberKings Saturday and held on to win, 7-6, in a Midwest League game before 552 fans at Ashford University Field.

The victory lifted the Kernels over the .500 mark to 11-10.

The Kernels led 7-2 going into the bottom of the eighth inning, but the LumberKings tallied four runs to cut the lead to 7-6 before the Kernels escaped further damage.

Zach Larson paced Cedar Rapids, going 4-for-5 with two doubles, two RBIs and two runs scored. Tanner Vavra recorded three hits. Felix Jorge (2-1) collected the win with six innings of work.

Read more...