LaTempa boosts short-handed Kernels to 6-2 win over Peoria

CEDAR RAPIDS - It's kind of like the minor league's version of dumping salary at the trading deadline.

The Cedar Rapids Kernels don't really have a legit shot at making the Midwest League playoffs, so the parent Los Angeles Angels keep taking their best players and moving them to an affiliate that does.

The Kernels have had three guys promoted to high-Class A Inland Empire in the last week, including leadoff hitter, center fielder and stolen-base ace Travis Witherspoon prior to Saturday night's 6-2 win over Peoria before 4,766 fans at Veterans Memorial Stadium. To be truthful, that move was a chain-affect deal thanks to wunderkind Mike Trout being promoted back to the big leagues.

The other guys jettisoned were Cedar Rapids' best starting pitcher (A.J. Schugel) and best reliever (Daniel Tillman). Inland Empire is all but in the California League playoffs, while the Kernels (54-70 overall, 22-32 second half) were eight games out with 17 to play.

“As a competitor, as a manager, yes (it's tough),” said Kernels Manager Brent Del Chiaro. “At the same time, we've done a good enough job to prepare them for the next level. I'm happy for those guys because now they get to be in a winning environment.”

Cedar Rapids played like a playoff team behind the sterling starting pitching of Justin LaTempa. It's been a difficult season for LaTempa, who came into the game with a 2-8 record and 4.86 earned run average.

The 6-foot-5 right-hander from the University of Oregon was taken out of the rotation midseason after struggling and seeing his velocity drop, but there is no choice but to start him now. He had a shutout through six innings, lasting a season-high seven in winning for the first time since May 27 (also against Peoria).

“This helps out my physhe,” LaTempa said. “It's been really frustrating throughout the season. I started out well, then got moved out of the rotation after struggling, now put back into it. More than anything, it's just not getting too down.”

Brian Hernandez, one of the newest Kernels, had a home run and four RBIs to lead the offensive charge. The teams play the second of their three-game series Sunday at 2:05.