Cedar Rapids Kernels Baseball

Goodrum getting it done for Kernels

Cedar Rapids Kernels middle infielder Niko Goodrum was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the second round of the 2010 First Year Player Draft and spent the past two years playing for the Twins' short-season rookie league team in Elizabethton.

The 21-year-old switch-hitter from Georgia got off to a good start with the Kernels, most often batting second in Manager Jake Mauer’s batting order, behind leadoff hitter Byron Buxton. He was named to the Midwest League’s Western Division All-Star team.

On June 2, Goodrum collided with Kane County catcher Willson Contreras and came away with a concussion that sidelined him on the team’s disabled list right up until the final day of the first half of the Midwest League season on June 16. His activation that day allowed him to participate in the MWL All-Star Game on June 18.
A few days ago, Goodrum talked about his season, so far, his injury and a number of other topics.

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Snappers continue hex on Kernels

BELOIT, Wis. - Pohlman Field has turned into a house of horrors for the Cedar Rapids Kernels.

The Kernels lost for the seventh time in eight games at Pohlman Field Wednesday night, 9-2, to the Beloit Snappers.

Beloit, which won the Midwest League Western Division first-half title by two games over the Kernels, moved into a tie with Cedar Rapids atop the second-half standings with its second win over the Kernels in as many nights - at Pohlman Field. Both teams are 11-2.

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Beloit snaps Kernels streak at 11

BELOIT, Wis. – The Cedar Rapids Kernels suffered their first loss of the second half on Tuesday night, dropping a 5-4 decision to the Beloit Snappers at Pohlman Field.

The Kernels were playing from behind most of the evening. Beloit held a 3-0 lead after two innings.

The Snappers scored a pair of runs in the first inning. Daniel Robertson reached on a fielding error by Niko Goodrum and scored from second base on Renato Nunez’s RBI double. Matt Olson singled home Nunez.

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Twins pitcher helps Kernels win 11th in row

Minnesota Twins pitcher Mike Pelfrey had two important goals Monday night when he made his rehabilitation start with the Cedar Rapids Kernels at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Number 1, he wanted to prove to the Twins and himself that he's recovered from back spasms and that he's ready to pitch for Minnesota again Saturday against the Toronto Blue Jays.

And Number 2, he didn't want to mess things up for the red-hot Kernels.

He succeeded on both counts.

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Pelfrey passes test in rehab start

Everyone was a winner Monday night at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Everyone but the Peoria Chiefs, anyway.

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Mike Pelfrey, in Cedar Rapids for a rehabilitation start after being sidelined on the Twins disabled list with a back strain, pitched six innings and struck out six hitters. He gave up a home run in the first inning and a triple in the sixth inning, but no hits in between.

The Kernels organization was definitely a winner, drawing a crowd of 2,246 through the gate, several hundred more fans  than their usual Monday night crowd.

And, oh yes, the Kernels rode Pelfrey’s start to a 6-3 win over the Peoria Chiefs, for their 11th straight win to start the second half of their Midwest League season.

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Kernels add Murphy; Pineda to DL

The Cedar Rapids Kernels and Minnesota Twins announced Monday that outfielder John Murphy has been assigned to the Kernels and that outfielder Jeremias Pineda has been placed on the 7-day disabled list with a right hamstring strain. Brad Steil, Director of Minor League Operations for the Twins, announced the move.

The Twins selected Murphy in the 19th round of the 2012 First Year Player Draft out of Jacksonville University and he spent 2012 with the GCL Twins where he hit .216 with two home runs and 22 RBI in 52 games. He has played in 37 games at Fort Myers this season, batting .248 with a home run and nine RBI.

Pineda has played in 24 games for the Kernels, batting .173 with a home run and five RBI. The Twins acquired Pineda in a trade with Boston during the 2012 season.

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Kepler earns German feast with big hit

Max Kepler can taste the sauerbraten with gravy and mushrooms now. "And sauerkraut on the side," he said, planning his order, "and of course potatoes."

Kepler, the German-born outfielder who plays for the Cedar Rapids Kernels, earned a free meal for himself and all the Kernels at the Ox Yoke restaurant in the Amanas by delivering the game-winning hit in the bottom of the ninth inning Sunday for a 6-5 victory over Peoria at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

The victory was the Kernels' 10th straight, which according to tradition earns the entire club a free meal at the Ox Yoke, courtesy of team management.

"Free meal? That's awesome," said Kepler, who grew up in Berlin. "So schnitzel and bratwurst? Sauerbraten? I'm really excited. I haven't had German food in awhile, so I'm really excited for that."

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Grimes excited about Pelfrey joining Kernels

Tyler Grimes plans to be the first member of the Cedar Rapids Kernels to greet Mike Pelfrey when the Minnesota Twins pitcher arrives at Veterans Memorial Stadium Monday afternoon.

Grimes and Pelfrey both grew up in Wichita, Kan., and both played baseball at Wichita State, although not at the same time. They are friends and golfing buddies, so Grimes is excited to see his buddy pitch for the Kernels on an injury rehab assignment Monday night against Peoria.

"I talked to him last night," Grimes said Sunday after the Kernels beat Peoria, 6-5. "He asked me if I was going to catch him. I told him I don't know. We don't know until Jake puts in the lineup. We'll see what happens."

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Streaking Kernels have appetites for victory

The Cedar Rapids Kernels are hungry for another victory.

In fact, they can taste it.

The Kernels notched their ninth straight win Saturday night, 2-1, when Adam Brett Walker raced home with the winning run on a wild pitch in the bottom of the 10th inning against Peoria.

If the Kernels defeat the Chiefs again Sunday afternoon, the entire team will be treated to a grand feast at the Ox Yoke restaurant in the Amanas in honor of the team's 10th win a row.

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