Kernels lose to Beloit, but Kanzler return is solid

CEDAR RAPIDS - The mustache is gone. So are the concussion symptoms.

Jason Kanzler actually never really had any of those. He was knocked out briefly after colliding in the outfield with second baseman Tanner Vavra in a game last Tuesday night against Peoria.

That automatically landed him on the seven-day disabled list, even though he told Cedar Rapids Kernels Manager Jake Mauer a few minutes after coming to that he was ready to go back in the ballgame.

'Yeah, I did,” Kanzler said, after making his return to the active roster and lineup Wednesday night in a 9-4 loss to Beloit at Veterans Memorial Stadium. 'I don't like sitting. I was seeing the ball well and feeling really comfortable at the plate like the past four games before that. I felt like I was finally hitting my groove. It was just annoying to be taken out for something like that.”

Vavra's foot actually smashed into Kanzler's head, so it wasn't a minor boo-boo by any stretch. You lose consciousness, even for a bit, and that's significant.

'I just remember it was a shallow pop fly to right center,” he said. 'I ran in on it, remember calling it, remember sliding. And pretty much when my butt hit the ground, that's when I don't remember anything. Then I remember waking up with (trainer) Curt (Simondel) and (teammate) J.D. (Williams) over me.”

Kanzler had a pair of hits Wednesday, including a three-run home run to dead center field, highlighting a mostly miserable night for the Kernels (22-24). Conspicuous since coming to town in April from Minnesota Twins extended spring training because of his full handlebar mustache, the University of Buffalo product has shaved since going on the DL.

'Just going to grow my beard now,” he said.

Beloit ran to a 9-0 lead in the fourth inning, KO-ing starting pitcher Felix Jorge (2-5). A well-regarded prospect, Jorge has been lit up up in his last four starts to the tune of 32 hits and 24 earned runs allowed over 13 2/3 innings.

It appears the 20-year-old righty from the Dominican Republic is flagging in confidence right now. Mauer was asked if it's fair to wonder if Jorge heading to extended spring to regroup might be appropriate.

'It's frustrating because he's having a hard time adjusting,” Mauer said. 'We thought we took a step forward there in Burlington in his last start. He did a lot of positive things. Then tonight he kind of went back to where we were before.

'I don't know what the ultimate plan is going to be (for him), but he's got too good an arm. I don't think it's anything mechanical with him, I think it's probably more mental at this point. He's probably trying too hard.”

Jorge allowed seven hits, five walks and seven runs in 2 2/3 innings. Derrick Penilla and Hudson Boyd helped save the bullpen by combining for five shutout innings.

The Kernels begin a commuter series Thursday night at Quad CIties.

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