Pair of MWL All-Star starters for C.R. Kernels, who punchout Kane County, 11-5

CEDAR RAPIDS — It's not like it's achieving their biggest career goal, but it's still a nice honor. A really nice honor.

LaMonte Wade and Luis Arraez were announced Tuesday afternoon as starters for the Western Division team in the upcoming Midwest League All-Star Game.

The Cedar Rapids Kernels duo won't have to travel, either, since the game is June 21 at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Sam Clay, the starting pitcher in C.R.'s 11-5 win Tuesday night over Kane County is a third Kernels all-star.

'All three guys are well deserving,' Kernels Manager Jake Mauer said. 'There are probably a couple others who should be on it, too. But those three guys have been really good all year for us, big parts of why we're where we're at. It's nice, especially for those two position players, to be able to start on their home field. It'll be a fun night.'

Mauer will manage the Western Division team, with Kernels pitching coach J.P. Martinez and hitting coach Brian Dinkelman serving in those capacities all-star wise as well. West Michigan's Andrew Graham and his staff will head the Eastern Division team.

There are 31 players selected for each all-star club.

'It's a great honor,' Wade said. 'A lot of hard work went into it. Not just me, but my teammates as well, and the coaching staff. Dink has been working with me. It's good recognition. It's not the (biggest) thing you want. You definitely want to win a championship, but I'll take it.'

Wade is hitting .318 in 48 games for the Kernels, with six doubles, three triples, four home runs and 27 RBIs. He has walked 38 times and struck out just 22, with 179 official at-bats.

Arraez went into Tuesday with a .317 average in 40 games. He doubled in a run in a four-run fourth inning that essentially put the Kernels (32-25) over the top here.

'It's been collective,' Wade said, when asked if he felt he and Arraez have spearheaded the offense. 'We've tried to do our job and get on base, and have the guys beyond you knock us in. The offense has been great as a whole.'

Clay (4-2) got the win Tuesday night, though he wasn't great, allowing four runs (three earned) in five-plus innings. He came in with a fine 2.13 earned run average in nine previous starts.

Sean Miller had four hits and two RBIs for Cedar Rapids, and Jermaine Palacios went 2-for-4 with a two-run triple. Kane County pitchers threw six wild pitches.

The teams play again Wednesday night at 6:35.

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