Cedar Rapids Kernels

Phil Hughes could pitch for Kernels

Minnesota Twins pitcher Phil Hughes could make a rehab assignment with the Cedar Rapids Kernels and pitch for them in the Midwest League playoffs against Peoria, according to a report in the Pioneer-Press newspaper in Minnesota.

Hughes, 29, has been on the 15-day Disabled List since Aug. 13 with a lower back strain. His final step before re-joining the Twins could come in an outing with the Kernels on Sunday or Monday against Peoria at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

The Kernels begin the best-of-3 series at Peoria Saturday night. Monday's game would be "if necessary" if the series is tied, 1-1, at that point.

Hughes is a 6-foot-5 right-hander. He has an 82-68 record in nine years in the Major Leagues with the Yankees and Twins, including a 10-8 mark and 4.49 ERA this season. His salary for this year is $9.2 million.

Kernels oust Bandits, eye Peoria next

DAVENPORT - It’s a cliché, but sometimes it really is the little things that win ballgames at playoff time.

That was the case again Thursday night as the Cedar Rapids Kernels and Quad Cities River Bandits could not finish their game in regulation, needing 11 innings before the Kernels finally topped the Bandits, 3-1, before a crowd of 1,555 at Modern Woodman Park.

Chris Paul delivered a two-run single in the 11th inning for the Kernels and finished the game with three hits and all three of his team's RBIs.

With the win, the Kernels claimed the first-round playoff series two games to none and advance to face Peoria in the Midwest League’s Western Division Championship series.

The Kernels will open the best-of-3 series at 6 p.m. Saturday at Peoria, The second game will be played at at 4:05 p.m. Sunday at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Cedar Rapids, with Game 3 (if necessary) at 6:35 p.m. Monday in Cedar Rapids.

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Jorge helps Kernels take Game 1

There are few sure things in life except death and taxes, but you can add Felix Jorge to the list as well.

He pitches deep into every game he throws.

During the regular season, Jorge made 22 starts for the Cedar Rapids Kernels and lasted at least six innings 20 times and at least five innings in the other two outings.

That reliability earned him the start for Cedar Rapids in Game 1 of its playoff series with the Quad Cities River Bandits Wednesday night and Jorge once again went deep for the Kernels.

Jorge threw 7 1/3 innings and allowed just two runs on nine hits in a 5-2 victory before 1,552 fans at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Jorge was in command all night, able to work out of a few minor threats in the early innings. He struck out seven batters and walked one.

“I was comfortable with the slider,” the 21-year old right-hander said. “Everything was working, I was in control.”

Kernels Manager Jake Mauer agreed.

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Jake Mauer gets call from Twins

It's taken 15 years as a player, coach and manager in the minor leagues with the Minnesota Twins organization, but Jake Mauer has finally gotten the call to experience life in the big leagues.

The Cedar Rapids Kernels manager will join the Twins as a coach for the last few weeks of the American League season after the Kernels are done in the Midwest League playoffs.

Mauer, 36, has spent his entire pro baseball career with the Twins and reached the Double-A level before an arm injury ended his playing days after the 2005 campaign.

Mauer grew up a Twins fan in the Twin Cities and his brother, Joe, has enjoyed an all-star career with the club and is their starting first baseman. Now Jake Mauer will be joining his younger brother in the Major Leagues and getting a first-hand look at Target Field from the ground level.

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