Red-hot Great Lakes goes extra mile to sweep Kernels

CEDAR RAPIDS – The Great Lakes Loons are one hot ballclub.

How else can you explain the Loons sweeping the Cedar Rapids Kernels in a pair of extra-inning games Friday night at Veterans Memorial Stadium, 4-3, in 13 innings and 3-1, in eight. If you didn't know, Midwest League double-header games are scheduled for seven innings.

These were the eighth and ninth wins in a row for Great Lakes, and the Loons have won 15 of their last 16. That includes eight wins by one run and another four by two.

When things are going that well, you don't care that you finally got done playing around 12:30 a.m. Saturday. When things aren't going well, as they weren't for the Kernels (36-25), it's just one long, wasted night at the ballyard.

Shane Severson, the stadium's scoreboard operator, had a birthday Friday and brought cupcakes for Kernels players to eat and help him celebrate.

After Game 2, they were still on the floor of Manager Jake Mauer's office.

'They're being punished,” he said. 'You get 29 strikeouts in a double-header like we did, no cupcakes for you.”

The Loons won the opener despite going nine full innings with only two hits, three baserunners and no runs. Then, again, the Kernels scored all three of their runs in the second inning, meaning they went scoreless their final 11 at-bats.

Max Murphy's triple over the center fielder's head scored the game's first two runs in the second inning. He scored on a sacrifice fly by Edgar Corcino.

Great Lakes tied it in the third against Kernels starting pitcher Dereck Rodriguez, the son of future hall of fame catcher Ivan 'Pudge” Rodriguez. With two outs, Michael Ahmed and Josmar Cordero (remember that name) singled, then Alex Santana obliterated a three-run home run over the porch in left field that was measured at 407 feet.

'One bad pitch,” Rodriguez said. 'A changeup I left up.”

The Kernels had opportunities win in walk-off fashion six times but failed. They stranded the winning run at second base in the sixth, at third in the ninth, at second in the 10th, at third in the 11th and at second in the 12th.

Getting a clutch hit was impossible.

The loss ruined a banner bullpen performance by Luke Bard and Randy LeBlanc, who combined for seven shutout innings. Jose Velez (0-1) was the losing pitcher, and that loss came in unlucky fashion.

Alex Verdugo singled with one out in the Great Lakes 13th, a ball that deflected off the third-base bag and into left field. Verdugo went to third base on the play, when Murphy airmailed what should have been a routine throw to second into right field.

Velez issued an intentional walk to set up a potential inning-ending double play, then struck out Ahmed for a second out. But Cordero lined a single into right field to score the winning run.

Great Lakes starting pitcher Grant Holmes, the parent Los Angeles Dodgers' top draft pick last year, lasted just 1 2/3 innings. That meant Roberth Fernandez, Bubby Rossman, David Reid-Foley and Jose Molina combined for 11 1/3 scoreless relief innings.

Keaton Steele gave the Kernels a very strong Game 2 start but still came out the loser. Spencer Navin, of Des Moines, doubled leading off the Great Lakes eighth and scored the go-ahead run on a Jake Verdugo RBI single.

Kernels hitters struck out 14 times in the nightcap and 29 times in the twinbill.

'I didn't think their pitching was anything special,” Mauer said. 'We just didn't hit it good ... Just didn't ourselves much of a chance. We didn't take very many good swings. Our plan was just goofy. Guys trying to do too much, thinking too much.”

Cedar Rapids hosts Lansing Saturday night at 6:35 in the first of a three-game series.

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