116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Orlando Rodriguez of Cedar Rapids Kernels gets Midwest League leading 7th win, then gets released
The 27-year-old right-hander threw 5 innings of shutout ball Sunday to beat Beloit, as Kernels won a pair of games
Jun. 25, 2023 6:40 pm, Updated: Jun. 26, 2023 11:32 am
CEDAR RAPIDS — If you’re gonna go out, this was a really good way.
Pitcher Orlando Rodriguez of the Cedar Rapids Kernels threw five shutout innings in a spot start that his team won Sunday afternoon, 8-3, over Beloit at Veterans Memorial Stadium. It was a seven-inning finale after the completion of a nine-inning suspended game from Saturday night that the Kernels also won, 10-6.
“That’s why I play,” Rodriguez said. “To go out and try to help the team win. If I’m able to get (the win), I’ll take it.”
He has taken it seven times so far this season. That’s in only 12 appearances, this his fifth start.
He has a 7-2 record and very solid 2.43 earned run average. Or had a 7-2 record and very solid 2.43 ERA.
Rodriguez was given his outright release by the parent Minnesota Twins after Sunday’s game.
“He’s kind of been our long-relief, spot-starter guy,” said Kernels Manager Brian Dinkelman. “He comes into a game in big situations, where it’s a tie, right around that time when the game is being decided. He’s been able to throw the ball decent for us. Gave us five good innings today, and we were able to score some runs. It was a good win.”
Rodriguez is one of the older guys in the MWL at 27, which certainly went into his release, someone who’s a great story. His parents emigrated in a very circuitous way (through Spain, Netherlands and Canada) with him and his brother from Cuba just over a decade ago.
The right-hander ended up going to NAIA St. Thomas University in Florida, signed as a non-drafted free agent with the Cincinnati Reds, was released, played independent ball and signed a contract in 2021 with the Twins.
He pitched well last season for the Kernels (4-1, 2.97 ERA in 26 appearances) and was assigned back to Cedar Rapids for the start of this season.
“You know my story, know I’m a survivor. I try to do that every day,” he said. “I think I’ve developed. I’ve been working on the changeup, getting it for strikes. Sharpening it a little bit. That’s been the focus. Just trying to get better every day. Keep throwing it in the zone, throwing strikes. Be a better pitcher overall. Today was a good day, where I could use the changeup, the offspeed with the fastball.”
The Kernels (42-27 overall, 2-1 in the second half) got two hits apiece from Tanner Schobel, Jorel Ortega and Kyler Fedko, with Schobel hitting a home run and driving in four.
The suspended game picked back up in the third inning with the scored tied at 1. Cedar Rapids scored five times in that third, including a three-run home run by Ben Ross to right-center field that was aided by a strong wind blowing that direction.
Ortega and Kala’i Rosario also homered in the game, with Rosario’s solo shot in the sixth his team-leading 12th this season.
“Good offense today,” Dinkelman said. “It helped with the wind a little bit. We found some barrels, and the guys had good at-bats and put up some runs. So it was good.”
The Kernels have Monday and Tuesday off before beginning a series at Peoria. Fellow righty reliever Charlie Neuweiler also was released by the Twins.
The Kernels are expected to receive right-handed relievers C.J. Culpepper and A.J. Labas from low-A Fort Myers. Culpepper was 4-3 with a 2.33 ERA for the Mighty Mussels, while Labas had a 1-2 record, four saves and 4.85 ERA.
Comments: (319)-398-8258, jeff.johnson@thegazette.com
Daily Newsletters