3 Kernels vie for MWL batting title

Who's it gonna be?

They've all three had great front nines to put themselves into contention. But the leader may or may not be in the clubhouse.

Excuse the mixed sports metaphors. We're actually talking about the chase for the Midwest League's batting crown.

It's a good one, with three Cedar Rapids Kernels having legitimate shots at it: Matt Long, Casey Haerther and Jean Segura.

"I'm too humble to say it's going to be me," joked Long, before last night's tough 6-5 loss to Wisconsin at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Long began the night fourth in the MWL with his team-leading .315 average, Haerther was seventh at .311 and Segura right behind at .310. Former Kernel Mike Trout - promoted last month to the California League - was well ahead on paper at .362 but won't have enough at-bats to officially qualify.

Wisconsin's Scooter Gennett was second (or first, depending on how you look at it) with a .321 average but hasn't played in four games and is apparently in his manager's dog house. So who's it gonna be?

"Every time we go up there, we're trying to get a hit," said Haerther, who has returned to the lineup after a two-week absence. "They've been falling a lot lately, especially for Siggy and Long, which is great. When all three of us hit, we win, and that's the most important part. But the race will be fun. We've got what, two weeks left? It'll be a fun two weeks to watch."

Haerther, Long and Segura all have hit well over .300 in August to close the season strong. It's been a blast for hitting coach Brent Del Chiaro to watch his boys - all of them - emerge into the league's top hitting team.

"The thing I'm most proud of is us having four guys in the top 10 right now," Del Chiaro said. "I hope (Long, Haerther and Segura) end up in a tie. All three of them are swinging it well right now. All three are candidates (for the crown) if they keep doing what they're doing."

"It'll be a good race," Long said. "You can't concentrate on it. Once you start thinking about something like that, you start getting inside your own head. That's exactly what you don't want to do. You start over-thinking everything. We've all had good seasons."

The Kernels (74-49) watched a late 5-3 lead evaporate as Wisconsin (52-72) scored once in the eighth and twice in the ninth. Closer Johnny Hellweg (1-4) blew a save for a second consecutive outing, walking three and allowing D'Vontrey Richardson's two-run, game-winning double.

Kernels utility infielder Michael Demperio came on to spell Segura in the fourth inning and picked up his first Cedar Rapids hit - a bunt single. That ended an 0-for-30 skid.

The teams play again Tuesday night at 6:35.