Pitcher Randy LeBlanc settles the Cedar Rapids Kernels

CEDAR RAPIDS – All Cedar Rapids needed was a calming influence.

After an unsettling week on the road that included seven round-trip bus rides, two matinees and a 25-inning, seven-hour Saturday doubleheader, pitcher Randy LeBlanc delivered for the Kernels.

The Cedar Rapids starting pitcher gave up just four hits and a walk over six scoreless innings as the Kernels blanked West Michigan, 1-0, before 925 fans Tuesday night at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

'Just throwing strikes,' LeBlanc said. 'Only walked one guy. (Catcher) A.J. (Murray) was doing a good job, we were on the same page the whole night. … Getting ground balls, that's what I do. … I'm not a big strikeout pitcher.'

Cedar Rapids (11-8) had lost three of four games and had not won consecutive games since beginning the season 4-0.

Momentum – not to mention extra infield work or batting practice – proved hard to come by after a week that included an 11:30 a.m. game in Burlington and a futile Thursday bus ride to Clinton that ended in a rain postponement.

'You try to avoid injuries as much as you can,' Cedar Rapids Manager Jake Mauer said. 'I guess it's better that you do it in April rather than August.'

The capper arrived Saturday via the aforementioned marathon doubleheader in Clinton, in which Cedar Rapids was swept and scored just one run in 25 innings.

'The seven-game road trip last week, traveling every day was pretty rough,' LeBlanc said. 'I think I got home at 3:30 (a.m.) that Saturday after the game, and then we had to be here at 9 the next day. It's part of the game, you have to deal with it. It's nice to have a nice home stretch here.'

For the third start in a row, LeBlanc (2-2) received just a single run of support but was able to make it hold up Tuesday night. The right-hander from Tulane struck out four and lowered his earned run average to 1.50.

An RBI single by Sean Miller scored J.J. Fernandez in the bottom of the second inning for Cedar Rapids.

Reliever C.K. Irby struck out three in two innings of scoreless relief, while John Curtiss induced a game-ending double play with the tying run on third base for his second save this season.

Murray threw out three West Michigan baserunners attempting steals of second base.

Losing pitcher Sandy Baez (0-3) surrendered four hits and a run in five innings for West Michigan (9-9).

The teams play again Wednesday at 6:35 p.m.

l Comments: douglas.miles@thegazette.com