Rare blowout loss for Kernels

CEDAR RAPIDS - Call this one a toilet game. As in just flush it.

“That's all you can do,” agreed Cedar Rapids Kernels Manager Bill Mosiello after his team was clobbered last night by Kane County, 11-2, before 2,131 fans at Memorial Stadium.

This was one of those rare games this Midwest League season in which the Kernels (68-44) were never in it. Kane County scored twice in the second inning for an early lead and added nine more runs in the fifth and sixth against beleaguered relief pitchers Yeison Almeida and Young-Il Jung.

Jung didn't retire any of the five batters he faced, walking four.

The Cougars (59-54) outhit Cedar Rapids, 17-4. The Kernels had the only error when always dependable outfielder Matt Long dropped a routine fly to center.

Just one of those games.

“We only made one error. That's it. But we pitched horrible and didn't really swing it that good,” Mosiello said. “Things never change, you're only a good as your pitching.

“Just one of those unfortunate days. It's better than losing a tight game.”

Mosiello wondered aloud when the last time his club had a game like this because he couldn't remember. The Kernels lost to Lake County on July 17, 10-1, but outings like that - and this - have been few and far between.

Newcomer Max Russell started and took the pitching loss. He only gave up two runs but threw 90 pitches in a laborious four innings.

The Kernels and Cougars play the second game of their three-game series tonight at 6:35.

“We'll just have to bounce back and go at them tomorrow,” said Mosiello.

Cedar Rapids played again without regular first baseman Casey Haerther and third baseman Jeremy Cruz. They remain sidelined with injuries: Haerther a back problem and Cruz an oblique strain.