Tough-luck defeats for Kernels' Reynolds

CEDAR RAPIDS - Two straight solid starts, two straight losses for Cedar Rapids pitcher Dan Reynolds.

"The times they did hit me is when I made my mistakes," Reynolds said after the Kernels lost to Burlington, 2-1, last night in front of 1,805 fans at Veterans Memorial Stadium. "Left pitches up and they capitalized on it."

Reynolds (0-2) pitched seven strong innings, but solo home runs in the third and seventh innings kept him winless.

"Here and any other league, you know from Rookie League to the major leagues, you leave the ball up, anybody will crush it," Reynolds said.

Reynolds was bested by Burlington starter A.J. Cole (2-0), who retired 14 batters in a row after a leadoff single by Kevin Moesquit in the bottom of the first inning. Cole gave up just three hits and one run in six innings, striking out six.

"We faced a great pitcher," Kernels Manager Jamie Burke said. "The guy did a good job locating his fastball, good change up, and he had some velocity behind it."

The parent Los Angeles Angels announced Tuesday that infielder Wendell Soto (. 216 in 51 games) and catcher Carlos Lugo (. 167 in 28 games) have been reassigned to Rookie-level Orem. Arriving in their place are two of last week's draft picks, infielder Eric Stamets (sixth round) and catcher Zach Wright (12th round), both of whom agreed to terms Monday.

Burke confirmed that the Angels' top pick, relief pitcher R.J. Alvarez (fourth round) has also signed and will be activated today. Pitcher Eswarlin Jimenez will be placed on the disabled list with blisters on the index and middle fingers of his pitching hand, which forced an early exit from Monday's game.

Before last night's game, there was a moment of silence to honor Elsie A. Kramer, formerly Elsie Curran, who was general manager of the Cedar Rapids Cardinals in 1970 and 1971. Kramer, who passed away Sunday at the age of 91, was the only female general manager in professional baseball during her brief tenure. In 2002, she dedicated the three flagpoles inside the Veterans Memorial Stadium entrance to her son, former Cedar Rapids Jefferson and Iowa State standout shortstop Mike Curran, who was killed in a motorcycle accident in 1977.

The teams play again tonight at 6:30.