Article: Twins Minor League Report (9/7): Kernels Win Big In Wisconsin

[Seth Stohs]

The best thing a team can do in a playoff game is jump out to an early lead. However, if said lead is blown a couple of innings later, the new best thing a team can do is put up a five-spot in the very next half inning. That’s what the Kernels did in Wednesday night’s Game 1 of their Midwest League Round 1 playoff series in Appleton, Wisconsin, against the Wisconsin TimberRattlers.The Kernels got off to a 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning. Zander Wiel led off with a triple. Travis Blankenhorn was then hit by a pitch. JJ Fernandez gave the Kernels a 1-0 lead with a single to right. Blankenhorn advanced to third and then scored when Nelson Molina grounded into a double play.

 

In the third, they added a run to make it 3-0. With one out, Luis Arraez tripled. He then scored on a Zander Wiel single.

 

19-year-old Lachlan Wells did well early, too. In the first inning he gave up two hits and a walk, but he was able to get out of the inning without allowing a run. Through four innings, he had eight strikeouts to go with those two hits and a walk. However, in the fifth inning, he gave up three runs and the game was tied.

 

However, that’s when the Kernels came through with their big, five-run top of the sixth. The inning started with doubles from Zander Wiel, Travis Blankenhorn and JJ Fernandez for the first two runs. After a pitching change, Nelson Molina singled Fernandez to third. Jaylin Davis followed by hitting a single that scored two runs. The Kernels now had an 8-3 lead.

 

Wells’ night was complete. He gave up three runs over five innings. He gave up four hits, walked two and struck out nine. Michael Cederoth came in. He was perfect for three innings and struck out five batters.

 

The Kernels added some insurance in the 8th inning. With two outs, Casey Scoggins singled. Christian Ibarra walked. Luis Arraez tripled to score both runners, and he then scored on a wild pitch to give the Kernels an 11-3 lead.

 

Colton Davis got the ninth inning for the Kernels. He struck out the first two batters before getting the final out on a foul pop to first base.

 

Luis Arraez led the way going 3-5 with two triples and two RBI. Zander Wiel was also 3-5 with a double and a triple. Travis Blankenhorn was 2-4 with a double and a triple. JJ Fernandez was 2-5 with a double and two RBI. Nelson Molina and Casey Scoggins also had two hit games. Jaylin Davis went 1-3 with two walks.

 

Final Score: Cedar Rapids 11, Wisconsin 3

Box Score

 

 

WHAT’S NEXT?

 

 

Game 2 will be in Cedar Rapids on Thursday night. Eduardo Del Rosario will take the mound for the Kernels against the TimberRattlers.

 

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[Hrbek70]

Love the futures of Arraez, Wiel and Blankenhorn.

[clutterheart]

Weil is almost 2 years older than the ave age of the leauge. He strikes out way way too much and should not be lumped in with Arraez and Blankenhorn.

[Seth Stohs]

 

  On 9/8/2016 at 10:25 AM, clutterheart said:

Weil is almost 2 years older than the ave age of the leauge. He strikes out way way too much and should not be lumped in with Arraez and Blankenhorn.

 

Well, that's a fun take! Ha! 

 

He's not in the same prospect level, but he's had a tremendous first full season in the minor leagues despite a very slow start in the first couple months.

[Kernels Fan]

Great to see Wells continue his strong pitching.  Cederoth came in at the right time and really put his mark on the game with extraordinary pitching.

 

[Hrbek70]

  On 9/8/2016 at 10:25 AM, clutterheart said:

Weil is almost 2 years older than the ave age of the leauge. He strikes out way way too much and should not be lumped in with Arraez and Blankenhorn.

 

Very true, but he still is a good prospect. Age or not, they still have to produce on the field. Second half the season he has been very good. His at bats are usually very good too. Personally, I don't see too many power hitters that don't strike out at a high rate.

[clutterheart]

 

  On 9/8/2016 at 12:26 PM, Seth Stohs said:

Well, that's a fun take! Ha! 

 

He's not in the same prospect level, but he's had a tremendous first full season in the minor leagues despite a very slow start in the first couple months.

 

So you agree with my "fun" take!  Great!