Kernels continue struggling, lose to Great Lakes, 8-3

CEDAR RAPIDS — You walked into Tommy Watkins' office at Veterans Memorial Stadium an hour and a half before first pitch Wednesday night but couldn't find him. At least initially.

'What's up?' you heard him bellow from an adjoining bathroom.

The door was wipe open, allowing you to spy the Cedar Rapids Kernels manager, electronic hair clippers in his hand, fashioning a beard for Travis Blankenhorn. The Kernels infielder cackled in delight upon seeing the finished product, eager to show his teammates.

'That ought to be worth one hit,' hitting coach Brian Dinkelman chided him, upon seeing the chin-only design.

Hopefully more than one, considering the circumstances. The Kernels were in a severe offensive slump going into their game against Great Lakes and were just a stitch better there in an 8-3 loss.

They've lost seven of eight games, including going 1-5 on a road trip to South Bend and West Michigan of the Eastern Division. Outside of eight runs scored in the lone win, against South Bend, they've managed to cross the plate only six times.

Their hit total in the losses was just 34. Do some math there, and that's averaging less than a run a game on abou five hits.

'It's that time of year,' Watkins said. 'We've been in every game, which is a positive. I really give it to West Michigan's pitching staff. They had a really good pitching staff. Then we saw three lefties in a row at South Bend. They weren't overpowering, but they gave us a tough time. Soft-tossing left-handers give young guys a tough time.'

As Watkins mentioned, we officially have hit the dog days of the Midwest League season, and guys are tired physically and mentally. Cedar Rapids lost four regulars from its lineup a day into the MWL's second half, which you knew would affect the offense quite a bit.

'I've had a couple of people in (his office),' Watkins said. 'We're trying to talk our way through it a little bit. Some guys are pressing a little bit. Guys like Blankenhorn and (Lewin) Diaz, who have been here all year, we had those guys that left us for Fort Myers, so those (other) guys think they need to pick up their slack by doing more. You don't have to do more, you just have to do your part. So basically it's just talking to them about just doing their part, play their game, keep the line moving. Don't try to be the hero, basically.'

The Kernels have a 50-46 overall record and 11-15 second-half mark. The teams play again Thursday and Friday nights.

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