Coaching switch continues to work for Kernels

CEDAR RAPIDS - You won't be seeing Cedar Rapids Kernels Manager Bill Mosiello on the field during games any more. Unless he comes out to argue a call with the umpire.

Mosiello has decided to forego his duties as third-base coach for the club, permanently handing them to hitting coach Brent Del Chiaro. Pitching coach Brandon Emanuel has taken over for Del Chiaro at first base.

“It's a great way for Delly to get some experience,” said Mosiello, whose team won for the 11th time in 12 games, 8-3, last night over Wisconsin before a season-high 5,087 fans at Memorial Stadium. “Plus I'd knew he'd do a great job there, like he is. This is such a young team. I can teach from the dugout,”

The base-coaching switch actually began May 7 for the Kernels' game at Milwaukee's Miller Park against Wisconsin, and Mosiello said this is not temporary. It's been a success from a win-loss standpoint considering the Kernels are 17-4 with it.

“It gets me more involved from the third-base aspect. You know, for future managerial positions,” Del Chiaro said. “The downside is as a hitting guy, I can't devote as much attention to their swings as I was able to in the past because I didn't have as much going on at first as I do now at third.”

“Once we committed to it, that's the way I wanted to do it,” Mosiello said. “What's awesome is that Manny has actually wanted to coach first. It's great for us. He's a baseball guy, and he's having fun.”

Justin Bass had three hits and an RBI for Cedar Rapids, which rallied from an early 2-0 hole. Mike Trout and Matt Long had two hits each.

The Kernels scored a run in the fourth, three in the fifth and four in the sixth. Tyler Skaggs through the first five innings for his fourth win in six decisions. Tyler Kehrer had the save.

The teams play again today at 2.