Kernels lose to Kane County in 15 innings

CEDAR RAPIDS – It was a bit of hubris, for sure, though you had to give Ben Carhart some leeway there.

When you're a catcher by trade, come into an extra-inning game as an emergency pitcher and throw two shutout innings, it's OK to celebrate by standing on top of the mound, taking out an imaginary bow and shooting an imaginary arrow into the sky. Seattle Mariners closer Fernando Rodney would have been flattered by this imitation.

'Everyone was asking me what the hell I would do if I got the win,” Carhart said after his Kane County Cougars outlasted the Cedar Rapids Kernels, 7-4, in 15 innings Sunday afternoon (and evening) at Veterans Memorial Stadium. 'The only thing that came to mind was Fernando Rodney, so I did it. All the Latin guys loved it.”

Carhart began this five-hour marathon as a designated hitter, but when the 14th inning rolled around and Kane County was out of usable relievers, he got the call. The right-hander hadn't pitched in a game since his junior year at Stetson University in 2011, but retired six of eight Kernels, not allowing a hit and walking two.

The Cougars scored three times in the top of the 15th against Kernels reliever Chris Mazza (3-3), a legit pitcher, for the winning runs.

'I was pumped to go out there,” said Carhart, who threw almost exclusively fastballs, most in the upper-80s range in velocity. 'I was just telling all these guys here it's that easy. Just throw it down the middle, and they'll pop it up.”

This was a loss Kernels Manager Jake Mauer hopes doesn't linger long. The Kernels (59-60, 28-21) dropped a game behind Kane County for first place in the Midwest League's Western Division. There's an off day Monday, then a three-game series at Beloit.

Cedar Rapids had so many chances late, stranding the winning run at second or third (or both) in the eighth, 10th, 11th and 13th innings.

'Disappointing. So many missed opportunities,” he said. 'Guys taking called thirds with two outs and runners in scoring position. It's a shame because our pitchers pitched their tails off. They deserved way better than that. We couldn't even square up a catcher today. He wasn't throwing anything other than a fastball and changeup, it didn't look like. And we couldn't do anything with it.”

Minnesota Twins pitcher Ricky Nolasco made the start, as planned, and lasted 5 2/3 innings before his 75-pitch limit was up. He actually threw 72 pitches, allowing seven hits and three runs (two earned), including a solo home run to Shawon Dunston Jr., whose dad was a longtime major league shortstop.

Nolasco, who threw 50 pitches in a start for the Kernels Tuesday, drove back to the Twin Cities after his outing and will spend the week working out with a Twins trainer, as he continues rehabbing from a sore elbow. He is expected to be activated from the disabled list sometime this week.

'I felt much better today,” said Nolasco, who walked none and struck out six. 'I was a lot more compact with the delivery. Kind of throwing the ball where I wanted to. A few minor league ‘hang with ‘ems' there in the fourth inning. Not much you can do about that. Balls just kind of bouncing around there a little bit. But I felt good. I'm ready to go.

'Best thing was command of the fastball. I haven't had that feeling in a long time. Just getting full extension, that's a good feeling to have.”

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