Cedar Rapids Kernels

Hildenberger promoted to Fort Myers

Cedar Rapids Kernels relief pitcher Trevor Hildenberger has been promoted to the Fort Myers Miracle in the Florida State League, Kernels Manager Jake Mauer said Wednesday afternoon.

Hildenberger, 24, starred for the Kernels in their bullpen with a 2-1 record, 0.80 ERA and 14 saves. He struck out 59 batters and walked only five in 45 innings.

Fort Myers depleted its bullpen in a 2-1 victory in 16 innings Tuesday night and needed another pitcher. Mauer was notified after midnight Tuesday and called Hildenberger, who caught a 7 a.m. flight out of Cedar Rapids on Wednesday morning to join his new club.

Mauer does not know if Hildenberger will stay with Fort Myers, but said the 6-foot-2 right-hander deserved the promotion. Hildenberger led the Kernels in saves.

The Minnesota Twins selected Hildenberger in the 22nd round of the 2014 draft from Cal-Berkeley.

Jorge is quality hurler for Kernels

There are no sure things in baseball, but the Cedar Rapids Kernels getting a quality start from Felix Jorge comes pretty close.

The 21-year-old Dominican held the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers to two runs in seven innings Tuesday night, leading the Kernels to a 6-2 victory before 2,236 fans at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Jorge has pitched at least six innings while holding opponents to three runs or less (the definition of a quality start) in each of his last 14 starts and 15 out of 16 times this season.

Asked if he knew how many consecutive quality starts he has, the young righthander knew exactly the right answer. “Fourteen,” he replied with a slight smile.

“He’s pretty smart,” Kernels Manager Jake Mauer said. “He looked a lot different than he did April a year ago, didn’t he? Very impressive.

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Quad Cities blasts Kernels

DAVENPORT - The Quad Cities River Bandits jumped to an 11-0 lead after five innings and cruised to a 14-5 Midwest League win over the Cedar Rapids Kernels on Monday before a crowd of 2,456 at Modern Woodman Park.

Kernels' starter Keaton Steele (2-3) lasted just 2 1/3 innings in his return from the disabled list. He allowed five runs on five hits.

Jason Martin had a triple and a double for the River Bandits (60-33). Quad Cities pounded out 17 hits against five Cedar Rapids pitchers. Ryan Bottger had three hits for the River Bandits, including his fifth homer of the season.

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Steele ready to pitch for Kernels

The Cedar Rapids Kernels and Minnesota Twins announced Monday morning that itcher Keaton Steele has been activated from the 7-day disabled list and is scheduled to be the starter in Monday's game against Quad Cities at 1 p.m. in Davenport.

Steele went on the DL June 29 with a right shoulder impingement. He has a 2-2 record and 3.46 ERA.

The Kernels return home Tuesday night to face Wisconsin.