New-look Kernels a work in progress, fall to Burlington, 6-2

CEDAR RAPIDS — When you lose over 40 percent of your lineup to promotions all at once, you can't expect things to run silky smooth.

To be specific, the Cedar Rapids Kernels had 44.444 percent of their most-days regulars sent up to high-Class A Fort Myers last weekend. Wow, that's taking a hit.

The bottom line is it'll take some time for the new Kernels to hopefully be the new and improved Kernels eventually.

'Once you get changes like that, I think it takes awhile for guys to jell,' Manager Tommy Watkins said, after his club fell to Burlington, 6-2, Monday night at Veterans Memorial Stadium. 'We've got opportunities now for guys to step up and play. They've got to act like they want it, it's not going to be given to them. We'll keep working and try to put a lineup out there that we can compete with.'

In case you missed it, shortstop Jermaine Palacios, outfielder Jaylin Davis, infielder Brandon Lopez and catcher Mitchell Kranson got moved up after last Thursday's game at Quad Cities. That's two guys who played in last week's Midwest League All-Star Game (Palacios and Kranson), C.R.'s leading hitter (Palacios), its leading power hitter (Davis) and three guys (Palacios, Davis and Lopez) who spent time considerable time here last season.

In their place, the Kernels received switch-hitting first baseman Amaurys Minier, shortstop Gorge Munoz, outfielder Lean Marrero and utility guy Joe Cronin from extended spring training. Munoz, Marrero and Cronin all played last season in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, considered two steps below the Midwest League.

Minier signed with the parent Minnesota Twins in 2012 out of the Dominican Republic for $1.4 million, though his four-year career has been spotty to this point.

'Cronin, I love his approach at the plate. He grinds at-bats out. He's a pro, he's a baseball player. I like the way he goes about his business,' Watkins said. 'Minier has got some pop, had a really good game the other day at Quad Cities. He gets himself in trouble sometimes just swinging in offensive counts instead of seeing the ball.

'Munoz is a little guy, been pulling the ball and hitting it in the air a lot so far. That's not his game. He's got to be more of a line-drive, contact guy. Same thing with Marrero, though he had a much better night tonight.'

Cronin didn't play Monday, with Minier, Munoz and Marrero combining to go 1-for-8 with three walks. Tyler Wells (4-2) has been the Kernels' best starting pitcher this season but was off from the first pitch, charged with seven hits and five runs (three earned) in four innings.

To make matters worse, Watkins said he had some shoulder soreness, an issue that put him on the disabled list earlier this season.

Burlington (32-42) won for the first time in five second-half games. Cedar Rapids is 41-34, 2-3.

The teams play again Tuesday night at 6:35.

'Pretty ugly tonight, right from the start,' Watkins said. 'Guys moping. Not good.'

l Comments: (319) 398-8259; jeff.johnson@thegazette.com