5 errors sink Kernels

CEDAR RAPIDS - Their margin is slim. Just ask their manager.

“We have to pretty much be perfect,” Brent Del Chiaro said. “We're not the most talented group.”

Well, the Cedar Rapids Kernels weren't perfect Saturday night. Far from it.

You make five errors, you're probably going to lose, no matter who you are. And the Kernels lost to Wisconsin, 6-3, before 4,611 fans at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Not even another special set of uniforms could offset this poor defensive performance. The Kernels (35-44 overall, 3-6) were all camouflaged out in jerseys that were auctioned to benefit the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight.

They had been 4-1 in special jerseys this season.

Ironically, Cedar Rapids took a 2-0 lead thanks to a pair of errors in the first inning on Wisconsin third baseman Greg Hopkins. But an unearned run in the second brought the Timber Rattlers (42-37, 4-5) within a run, and they went ahead for good with a five-hit, four-run fifth.

Starting pitcher Max Russell (4-8) hasn't won since May 19, losing six of his last seven starts. His earned run average has jumped from 2.39 to 3.73 in that span.

This certainly wasn't all his fault, considering everything, though he did give up four earned runs in his five innings of work. Second baseman Wes Hatton committed three errors behind him and first baseman Brandon Decker and third baseman Ricky Alvarez one each.

The Kernels didn't have a hit after the fifth inning and only one baserunner, striking out 13 times in the game. New leadoff hitter Chris Giovinazzo did reach four times, with a pair of hits, a run and RBI.

Cedar Rapids plays a holiday series at home against the Burlington Bees that begins Sunday afternoon at 2:05. It's a special 5:05 first pitch on the Fourth of July, with postgame fireworks, and back to 6:35 Tuesday night.

The Kernels are in a stretch where they play 15 of 18 games at home. They must make hay to seriously contend for a second-half Midwest League playoff spot.

“We're looking for more consistent baseball,” Del Chiaro said.