Flores translates into ace for Kernels

Tyler Chatwood has the big fastball and hammer curve. Ryan Chaffee has all those tricky deliveries. Will Smith has great control.

Those three all have gained significant prospect status.

On the other hand, no one talks much about Manuel Flores. Though maybe they should.

The left-hander from Venezuela has been the Cedar Rapids Kernels' most consistent starting pitcher to this point in the Midwest League season. He remained smack dab in the middle of the top 10 in league earned run average after helping the Kernels to a 5-2 win over Wisconsin on a rainy night at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

"I've been feeling good, just getting the job done," said Flores, with the help of teammate and translator Roberto Lopez. "The guys have played great behind me. I've just been trying to throw a lot of strikes."

That he does. Flores (2-2) didn't walk anyone in his seven innings Friday night and has given out just five free passes in 36 innings this season.

He doesn't throw overly hard, but hard enough, especially for a southpaw. Combine that with mixing his pitches and constantly filling the strike zone, and you've got a guy who gives his team a chance about every time out.

Flores gave up 10 hits to Wisconsin (12-21) but only one run. His ERA dropped ever so slightly to 2.00.

"He gave up a lot of hits today, but we played pretty good defense behind him," said Kernels Manager Bill Mosiello. 

"He threw a lot of strikes. They hit a lot of balls to the right side (because) he was trying to stay away. They made some good adjustments (at the plate), we were just fortunate they hit it at some people. But he has done a great job. (Pitching coach Brandon Emanuel) has done a great job of developing him. It's exciting to watch."

"I felt good tonight up until about the fourth inning, then I started feeling tired," Flores said. "It might have been the weather, might have been something else."

Speaking of the weather, rain fell, sometimes hard, for a good chunk of this game. It was one of those nights where you wanted to grab a lead early and get through five innings, just in case the weather forced a shortened game.

They got through all nine, though the Kernels (16-18) did get that early lead, taking advantage of three Wisconsin errors and a lack of control from starting pitcher Colt Adams (1-4) to build a 4-0 edge through five. Cedar Rapids was outhit in the game, 12-7, but had five walks, three hit batsmen and stole five bases.

If you want a poster child for this victory, look at Roberto Lopez. The newcomer was hit once, walked twice, stole a base and scored two runs. That's all over the map, kind of like his defense, considering he has played first base, the ouftield and catcher since coming to town last week from extended spring training.

He hit .400 last season for Rookie-level Orem, so you know he can hit. Defensive versatility could eventually land him in the big leagues.

"I hope so," Lopez said. "I've just got to keep swinging the bat. We'll see how things go."

The Kernels have a four-game commuter trip to Burlington beginning Saturday night.