Cedar Rapids Kernels on an actual losing streak

CEDAR RAPIDS — It’s just a blip. Every baseball team experiences them.

The Cedar Rapids Kernels went into their Midwest League game Wednesday night at home against Quad Cities on an actual skid.

The Kernels gave up three runs in the ninth inning to drop a tough 3-2 decision Tuesday night, extending their losing streak to four. They lost the final three games of their six-game series last week at Beloit.

Cedar Rapids still is 15-7 and has outscored opponents by 25 runs. That’s a league best.

A blip, more than likely.

“We’ve been in all these games, except for Sunday. That wasn’t a good one for us,” Kernels Manager Brian Dinkelman said. “We had the lead (Tuesday), kind of lost it in the ninth inning. Then the other games we were in.

“We didn’t hit a ton, which puts pressure on our pitchers a little bit. We’ve been doing fine. Just find a way to maybe get a few more runs, get a big hit or two. We’ve gotten runners on base, we just haven’t gotten hits when we’ve needed to.”

The Kernels still lead the MWL in batting average (.246), are fourth in runs and third in OPS. They also lead the lead in strikeouts.

Third baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand was named Midwest League Hitter of the Month for April and has been one of the most productive offensive players in the minors early. He goes into Wednesday hitting .393 with an OPS of 1.090.

After a 1-for-4 game Tuesday night, he asked Dinkelman to help him analyze his swing because he hasn’t felt comfortable for quite a while. That’s scary.

Pitchers have allowed their team to have a chance to win virtually every night three weeks into the season. Cedar Rapids is second in the Midwest League in ERA and third in lowest opponent batting average.

Two members of the staff were promoted to Double-A Wichita last week.

Starter Casey Legumina was 0-1 with a 4.05 ERA, striking out 16 in 13 1/3 innings. Reliever Osiris German had five saves and a 1.17 ERA in six appearances, not walking anyone and striking out 10 in 7 2/3 innings.

The Kernels activated right-handed pitcher Orlando Rodriguez from the injured list and were sent righty John Stankiewicz from low-A Fort Myers. Stankiewicz was 3-0 with a 0.83 ERA in four starts for the Mighty Mussels, allowing just 11 hits in 21 2/3 innings, striking out 31.

“For Casey and Osiris, they’ve thrown the ball well for us. Happy for both of those guys to go to Double-A,” Dinkelman said. “(Stankiewicz) was doing well down there. Saw him once or twice in spring training. He can spin it well, and he’s pretty good in the zone. We’ll get him out there and see what he can do here.”

Comments: (319)-398-8258, jeff.johnson@thegazette.com