The Cool Of The Grass 2050.14: Des Moines Holds First Place Despite .500 Week

[aaronweiner]

The Des Moines Kernels finished their second consecutive week in first place, splitting six games this week for an 18-13 record. The split was luckily enough to hold onto a share of first place in the Frick League Heartland Division. Des Moines played up to their ninth game of a ten-game homestand, and they have the opportunity to take back first place solo with a win against the Yellow Springs Nine at home in their next game.

"I remember when we'd have been excited about finishing a sim with a .500 record," said catcher Andy Elmer, who celebrated his first games this season since being activated from the IR with a 1.037 OPS last week. "Man, while I've been gone these guys have been doing WORK."

The Kernels finished a four-game sweep at home before going 2-3 against Louisville and Yellow Springs, long Frick League royalty. More signs that this is a new team: Des Moines fell behind 5-3 against Yellow Springs in the eighth inning, but managed to gut out a ninth-inning tie, and despite falling in twelve innings the Kernels showed heart.

"We were playing a series as a first place battle and we battled like a first place team should," said manager Ricardo Alomar. "I'm inspired by these young men every day."

A few interesting and potentially promising signs. Deron Alexander did get the two of the three losses last week, but he didn't pitch especially badly and might be able to find new life in the bullpen. His days as a starter are officially over. New rotation starter Guillermo Sanchez, once picked in the second round by Kernels GM Aaron Weiner, threw six outstanding innings against Yellow Springs. The Kernels also claimed starter Ivan Ruiz off waivers from San Fernando, and the team is hopeful he'll fit in well with the rest of the staff.

"Ivan is our type of guy - he's got good stuff, he strikes guys out, and he's gotten hurt by bad defense lately," said pitching coach Tony Cabrera. "We'll help him with the last one and hopefully he can show some stuff for us."

Ruiz has forced former #1 prospect Jamie Barber into the bullpen as well, at least temporarily. Barber has just two quality starts this year and a 6.10 ERA, and the team thinks he could use some more work.

"Jamie's still a young guy and has so much promise it hurts," said Cabrera. "We're not giving up on him easily."

The Kernels will play one more against Yellow Springs, and then the schedule appears to open up somewhat, as the team will not play a team with a record above .500 after tomorrow until the 28th of May, more than three weeks, though it's early in the seasons and fortunes can change fast. Nobody knows that better than the Kernels.

"I've been waiting for this team to turn it around, and this has been great so far," said popular reliever Daniel Camacho. "Everyone knows that success can be fleeting, but this franchise has waited a long time for a chance. Maybe this is our chance."

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