Cedar Rapids Kernels Baseball

Baker takes step in right direction for Cubs

The Chicago Cubs are paying Scott Baker a cool $5.5 million this year, but so far all he's done is pitch in the minor leagues on rehabilitation assignments.

That could change soon.

Baker took a big step toward Chicago Wednesday night when he tossed five sharp innings for Kane County in a 9-1 victory over Cedar Rapids before 1,711 fans in a Midwest League game at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Baker, 31, allowed only one hit (a scratch infield single), struck out two batters and did not walk anyone. It was much better than his four previous rehab starts for the Cougars and an encouraging sign for the veteran right-hander.

Read more...

Boyd dealt with weighty issues to succeed

One of the unique things about Class A minor league baseball is the season is divided into two halves.

The format allows teams, such as the Kernels, that have strong first halves of the season to qualify for postseason play at the mid-point of the campaign. It also gives teams that struggle early a chance to start over with a clean slate for the second half.

The format benefits teams that experience significant roster turnover that’s common among Class A affiliated clubs.

Read more...

Kernels activate Polanco, reassign Powell

The Cedar Rapids Kernels and Minnesota Twins announced Wednesday that infielder Jorge Polanco has been activated from the 7-day disabled list and right-handed pitcher Christian Powell has been assigned to Elizabethton in the Appalachian (Rookie) League. Brad Steil, Director of Minor League Operations for the Twins, announced the move.

Polanco went on the DL back on August 16 with a right groin strain. He has played in 111 games for the Kernels, batting .307 with four home runs, 76 RBI and 31 doubles.

Powell made 14 appearances (10 starts) for the Kernels with a 3-5 record and 5.81 ERA. In 62 innings, he allowed 83 hits and 43 runs (40 earned) with 34 walks and 50 strikeouts.

Read more...

Kernels will open playoffs in Davenport

The Cedar Rapids Kernels will begin the first round of the Midwest League playoffs Wednesday, Sept. 4 against the Quad Cities River Bandits in Davenport.

The second game of the three-game series will be played on Thursday, Sept. 5 at Veterans Memorial Stadium. The third game, if necessary, would be played in Cedar Rapids on Friday, Sept. 6.

Eight teams will make the Midwest League playoffs. The semifinals are scheduled for Sept. 7-8-9 and the league finals are planned for Sept. 11-12-14-15-16.

Read more...

Gonzales keeps plugging away with Kernels

Mike Gonzales is a 25-year-old first baseman who's toiling in the low minor leagues these days, but they should be an asterisk next to the big fella's name.

Gonzales was moving along nicely in the Minnesota Twins organization until the injury bug hit the last two years. He suffered a dislocated elbow and torn tendon last season that cost him a good chunk of the year in the High-A Florida State League, and he missed a major part of this season after breaking the hamate bone in his right wrist.

Under normal circumstances, you don't want to be a 25-year-old first baseman in the Midwest League with a lot of good first basemen ahead of you in the organization. Gonzales, however, has a simple goal these days.

"Staying healthy," he said Tuesday night. "That's the big thing. I'm going to play as much as I can, when I'm healthy."

Read more...

Kepler will play in Arizona Fall League

The Minnesota Twins announced Tuesday that seven players from their minor league organization will be assigned to play in the Arizona Fall League this year, including current Cedar Rapids Kernels outfielder/first baseman Max Kepler.

Kepler will be joined by former Kernels outfielder Byron Buxton, along with infielder Eddie Rosario and pitchers Trevor May, Alex Meyer, A.J. Achter and Zach Jones.

The Twins' farmhands will play for the Glendale Desert Dogs and be managed by Jeff Smith, the current manager of the Twins' AA affiliate in New Britain, Conn. They'll be joined on the Glendale roster by members of the White Sox, Reds, Dodgers and Marlins organizations.

Read more...

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.

Read more...

'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."

Read more...

Kernels enjoy laugher (except for Kepler)

A thoughtful emergency room doctor at St. Luke's Hospital may have saved Max Kepler's season for the Cedar Rapids Kernels Sunday afternoon.

Kepler suffered a severe gash on the middle finger of his right hand in a freak accident before the Kernels' 9-1 victory against Peoria and was taken to St. Luke's for treatment. A teammate was taking swings in the indoor batting cage when the bat slipped out of his hands and struck Kepler, who was standing outside the net.

The doctor originally planned to close the gash with five stitches, but decided to use 11 tightly spaced stitches instead when he learned Kepler is a professional baseball player. The extra stitches could make it easier for Kepler to play again this season, because they are less likely to pop loose during physical activity.

The stitches will not be removed by a doctor for 10 to 14 days, but the Midwest League playoffs begin Sept. 4 and Kepler is determined to play again. He's listed as day-to-day and would like to play Monday night when the Kernels host Peoria.

Read more...