Simpler is better at the plate for English

CEDAR RAPIDS - Tanner English admits he can be guilty of doing too much at once.

So, the Cedar Rapids Kernels 22-year-old center fielder resorted to a slower simpler approach at the plate. The change has paid dividends for him.

English has provided a punch at the bottom of the Kernels batting order, posting his second straight multi-hit game and helping them to an 8-4 win over the Beloit Snappers last night at Memorial Stadium. Cedar Rapids has opened the season with six straight wins.

English went 2-for-3 for the second consecutive game, bumping his batting average to .353. He dedicated time to working with Kernels hitting coach Tommy Watkins and Manager Jake Mauer.

'I've been working with Tommy a lot, trying to slow everything down,” said English, who scored twice and drove in a run last night. 'I started the season, rushing everything. I've been working on my swing, watching some video and really focusing on not trying to do too much.

'Just go out there and stay simple and let everything happen for itself.”

The results have produced a potentially productive combination when the lineup rotates to the top with leadoff batter Zack Granite following English.

'He's not a nine-hole hitter by any stretch,” Mauer said. 'He very easily could be our leadoff guy and it gives you a different dynamic when your nine-hole hitter and leadoff guy both score two runs, can steal bases and score from first on a double. It gives you flexibility.”

English played a role in two rallies, knocking in Tyler Kuresa to give the Kernels a 2-0 lead. He scored on Nick Gordon's two-run single, which capped the four-run second inning.

After Beloit trimmed the Kernels lead to 6-4 with two in the top of the seventh. English and Zack Granite led off the bottom of the inning with base hits. Both scored on a two-single from J.J. Fernandez.

'I think the past two nights, and the one before, I felt a little better,” English said. 'I want to keep that going into the next series.”

Mauer said he has recognized the difference. English gets set earlier and can identify pitches, giving him a better chance to anticipate instead of reacting.

'His at-bats are better,” Mauer said. 'He is seeing the ball a lot better and giving himself a chance. He's a guy that has a ton of ability. It's a matter of allowing that ability to come out.”

English, who played college ball at University of South Carolina, spent most of last season in Elizabethton, Tenn., joining the Kernels for two playoff games. The past experienced helped with this year's transition.

'I knew what to expect,” English said. 'The field is beautiful. I was excited to get back here and get back out in center field to help out.”

Cedar Rapids entered last night's game, leading the Midwest League with a .316 team batting average. Six Kernels starters scored against the Snappers. English is an example of the Kernels receiving a contribution from everyone.

They played without No. 3 hitter Zack Larson and still managed eight runs.

'It's a pretty good feeling and a good job,” Mauer said. 'Tommy has been working hard with these kids in spring training. It's fun to see them have success here early.”

The players have had a good time together so far. English said they have taken the field like kids, despite the sport being their jobs.

'If someone isn't contributing, the person behind them is going to pick them right back up,” English said. 'I think we have great chemistry in (the clubhouse) and on the field. We're all out there and having fun.”

The offense wasn't enough to put things away. The Snappers (1-5) continued to battle their way back into the game. They pulled within two in the seventh, tallying three singles and two walks in that frame. Kernels relievers were able to limit any major damage.

Cedar Rapids starter Jared Wilson allowed two earned runs in five innings for the win. Kernels relievers walked five in three innings until Cam Boozer came in to close the ninth. Mauer said he doesn't want free passes to become a habit, but to his pitchers' credit the got the job done.

'We were able to recover in time,” Mauer said. 'Booser came in and wasn't messing around. He went right to them.”

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