Jorge deals again for Kernels

CEDAR RAPIDS - He knew. You bet he knew.

'Fourteen,” Felix Jorge said, promptly, after pitching the Cedar Rapids Kernels past Wisconsin, 6-2, Tuesday night at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

That's the number of consecutive starts the emerging right-hander from the Dominican Republic has made for the Kernels that have lasted six innings or more. That's the number of consecutive quality starts the 21-year-old has made.

Think about that for a minute. Jorge has had 14 straight starts of at least six innings and three earned runs or less allowed.

That's borderline incredible.

'I feel a little tired right now, but I'm working on that,” Jorge said. 'It has been a good season, better than last season.”

It's not just his English skills that have improved dramatically. Jorge was lit up in a half season as a member of the Kernels 2014 starting rotation and was shipped back to Rookie ball to try and pick up the pieces.

Boy, has he been able to do that. He leads the Midwest League in earned run average (2.10) and WHIP (walks and hits per innings pitched), a number that's under 1.00.

He threw seven innings and 93 pitches Tuesday, giving up five hits, a walk and two runs, striking out seven. Not that you want to see the guy leave, but there's not much of anything Jorge has left to prove at this level.

'He looks a lot different than he did in April a year ago, doesn't he?” said Kernels Manager Jake Mauer. 'Very impressive. He has worked his tail off. He's still young, a ‘94 birthdate, so I think he's going to get bigger and stronger. Even when he's not at his best, he's able to get by.”

Only one of Jorge's 16 starts this season has been less than six innings, way back on April 19 against Burlington. He threw five innings that night, but only gave up a run and struck out nine.

Mauer said he still needs to work on the consistency of his curveball, but his low-90s fastball and changeup have been plenty good. The only reason Jorge is still with the Kernels is that the parent Minnesota Twins have a lot of quality arms in the minor leagues right now.

There isn't room for him at high-Class A Fort Myers.

'One thing we haven't had in this organization for awhile is pitching,” Mauer said. 'It's nice to have that depth. It's a testament, obviously, to our scouts and to (farm director) Brad (Steil) in making the right decisions. There are probably about five guys here who could go up to the Florida State League right now”

Tanner English homered and was one of five players with two hits for the Kernels (55-41, 14-12). Pat Kelly drove in two runs.

The teams play again Wednesday at noon. Mauer said the Twins have released relief pitcher Chris Mazza.

The right-hander threw in two games this season, allowing three runs in three innings. He was very effective last season for Cedar Rapids but pitched the final month and a half with a broken throwing wrist, had surgery last November and was just activated from the disabled list last week.

A corresponding move will be made Wednesday.

l Comments: (319) 398-8259; jeff.johnson@thegazette.com