Pitching continues struggles as Kernels blasted by Quad Cities, 16-6

CEDAR RAPIDS - We're beginning to look at historical perspectives, and that's not good.

The Cedar Rapids Kernels have struggled pitching this season. The hope in the home clubhouse has got to be a 16-6 loss to Quad Cities before 1,801 fans on Memorial Day at Memorial Stadium is a bottoming-out point for a staff at or near the top of all the wrong categories in the Midwest League.

The Kernels (23-28) have given up the second-most hits and walks in the 16-team MWL. They're dead last in earned run average, and it's not even close, their 4.91 almost a full run more than 15th-place Burlington.

They have allowed three or more runs in their last 14 ballgames, 35 in their last three.

And the thing is Memorial Stadium is a significant pitcher's ballpark in a pitcher's league.

“We're just up in the zone, our guys aren't making adjustments to get (the ball) down. Period,” said Kernels pitching coach Chris Gissell. “There's not really much else to say but that.”

There is a ton of baseball to be played and chances to make the ugly numbers prettier. Somehow this club continues to be near the .500 mark in the first half, mostly because of improvements offensively.

But if the season ended today, Cedar Rapids would set a club record for worst ERA, besting (or worsting) 1997's 4.89. A check of yearly stats on www.baseballreference.com went back 55 years, by the way.

Even being within striking distance at this point in the season is not a good sign.

“Our team ERA is what it is,” Gissell said. “Sometimes that can be deceptive. I'm sure our guys are frustrated. Those guys are having a hard time. We've just got to do our best to make adjustments and try to get better.”

Starter Jairo Diaz (2-5) allowed eight runs the first two innings but hung around for six almost out of necessity because the Kernels' bullpen is so worn out. Quad Cities added insult to injury by batting around a second time in the game in a six-run ninth.

Gissell was asked if his pitchers should feel a sense of urgency, especially considering Angels roving pitching instructor Kernan Ronan and field coordinator Gary DiSarcina are in town.

“You should always feel urgency in this game. Always,” Gissell said. “There's always somebody. That's the name of this game. It's a business. That's what the draft is for here in a few weeks. There's always someone, and you should always (work) whenever you can to get better. If guys aren't making adjustments, sometimes (changes are) the name of the game.”

On the good side, third baseman Kaleb Cowart had four more hits to boost his batting average to .287. Shortstop Wendell Soto added three.

Gissell and some Kernels were wearing blue T-shirts Sunday reading “If you don't like it, play better.” A simple mantra that sometimes is very difficult to achieve in this game.

“Just stay positive, period,” Gissell said. “I've played for a lot of coaches, had a lot of managers. For me, when a clubhouse is negative this and negative that, that's tough to perform in. I think Burkey (Manager Jamie Burke) has done a really good job, even when we've had some rough spells, of keeping the attitude positive. Keeping a good vibe going. All the better teams I've played on, that's the way it was.”

The teams conclude their five-game series tonight at 6:35.

Here is the game boxscore:

Scoreboard _ Midwest League Scoreboard