Kernels Unlikely Run Falls Short In Game 5

26-year-old Ross Seaton got the start for the West Michigan Whitecaps. The 26-year-old had 21 starts for the Detroit Tigers’ Low-A affiliate on the season, posting an 11-8 record with a 3.88 ERA. He also made two starts for AAA Toledo. He has made AAA starts each year since 2012.

Randy LeBlanc made the start for the Kernels. On the season, he went 9-5 with a 3.03 ERA in 33 games, and just five starts.

Both starters began with two scoreless innings. In the bottom of the third frame, outfielder Austin Diemer put the Kernels on the board with a long home run. It was his first of the postseason and just the third since he was promoted from Elizabethton in mid-July.

The Kernels added another run in the bottom of the fourth as well. Edgar Corcino led off with a single and scored on a TJ White single.

Randy LeBlanc was terrific through four innings. In fact, he had faced the minimum, 12 batters. His only blemish was a one-out single in the fourth inning. That was quickly erased on a double play.

Unfortunately, LeBlanc was unable to get out of the fifth inning. With that two-run lead, LeBlanc got the first out, but followed it with a four-pitch walk. It was followed by a single and another walk to load the bases. A fielder’s choice scored the Whitecaps' first run. A line drive single tied the game at two. That was it for LeBlanc.

Luke Bard entered and hit the first batter he faced to load the bases. A few pitches later, he threw a wild pitch off the glove of Brian Navarreto which gave the Whitecaps a 3-2 lead. Bard then struck out the batter to end the inning.

Unfortunately, it was a lead that would stick over the remaining innings of the game.

The Kernels had a few runners, but were not able to add that third run to tie the game.

Randy LeBlanc took the loss. He gave up three runs on three hits and two walks in 4.2 innings. Though he allowed an inherited runner to score, Bard hit a batter and struck one out. Yorman Landa came on and struck out the side in the sixth inning and struck out four over two scoreless innings. Nick Anderson gave up two hits, but no runs, over two scoreless innings.

The Kernels managed just four hits in the game. Edgar Corcino and Max Murphy each had one hit and walked once.

Congratulations to Jake Mauer, Tommy Watkins, Henry Bonilla and the entire Cedar Rapids Kernels organization on another terrific season and a fun-filled playoff run.

Jake Mauer will now join the Minnesota Twins coaching staff for the final two weeks.