Article: Twins Minor League Report (9/7): Kernels Season is Over

[Seth Stohs]

Rains postponed Game 4 of the Florida State League Championship series in Daytona which might have been a blessing in disguise.

 

Unfortunately, the 2014 Cedar Rapids Kernels season has come to a close as the team fell 4-2 to Kane County. The Cougars advance to the Midwest League Finals.MIRACLE MATTERS

 

Game 4 – Ft. Myers @ Daytona - Postponed

 

The day off may have been just what the two teams need as they have not had a day off since the playoffs began. However, for the Miracle, this delay could prove very beneficial. Had Game 4 been played on Sunday, the Miracle likely would have employed a bullpen game. However, with the game moved to Monday, the Miracle will be able to start DJ Baxendale on regular rest. And, if it were necessary, Matt Tomshaw could start Game 5 on regular rest.

 

The two teams will play again on Monday night at Jackie Robinson Stadium in Daytona.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS

Game 2 - Cedar Rapids 2, Kane County 4

Box Score

 

This game started out as quite the pitcher’s duel. The Kernels managed just one hit through the first five innings off Cougars starter Paul Blackburn who struck out seven.

 

John Curtiss, making his first start for the Kernels, was certainly up to the challenge. He threw five shutout innings. He walked three but he did not allow a hit until the fifth inning. The right-hander was the Twins sixth-round pick in June out of the University of Texas where he was that team’s closer. After pitching in the College World Series and then signing with the Twins, he went to Elizabethton where he was a starter. With Lewis Thorpe placed on the disabled list, Curtiss was called up before this series started.

 

Jared Wilson came on to replace Curtiss in the sixth inning. He gave up a solo home run to Jacob Rogers. However, in the top of the 7^th, the Kernels were able to get on the board and take the lead. With one out, Jonatan Hinojosa singled. It was followed by a two-run homer by Chad Christensen.

 

In the bottom of the 7^th, Wilson issued a walk to lead off the inning and then gave up a two-run homer to Carlos Penalver. One out later, Brian Gilbert replaced Wilson and got out of the inning. Gilbert gave up another run in the bottom of the eighth.

 

The Kernels were not able to get any closer and fell 4-2. The team had just four hits in the game. Besides Christensen’s homer, Max Murphy’s double was the only extra-base hit.

 

The Kernels season comes to an end, but it has sure been a good run. After going just 31-39 in the first half, the Kernels went 42-28 in the second half to earn a spot in the Midwest League playoffs. Then won two of three against Burlington in Round 1 of the playoffs.

 

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY

 

Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – John Curtiss, Cedar Rapids Kernels

Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Chad Christensen, Cedar Rapids Kernels

 

MONDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS

 

Ft. Myers @ Daytona (6:05 CST) – DJ Baxendale

 

Please feel free to ask any questions and discuss the Kernels game and season.

 

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[Otwins]

It may have been a blessing for the bullpen also.  Burdi got the final 7 outs on last time he pitched.  Were you suprised he was asked to get that many this late in the season?

[Seth Stohs]

It may have been a blessing for the bullpen also.  Burdi got the final 7 outs on last time he pitched.  Were you suprised he was asked to get that many this late in the season?

 

It seems that they're continuing to pitch him about every 4th day, which is normal for college relievers their first full year. So, I think that it's a little surprising he'd go 2.1 innings, but not too much.