Peoria Chiefs @ Cedar Rapids Kernels- May 5

by sheamcmurray on May 5, 2008 11:05 PM CDT

So I made the 20 minute trip from Iowa City to Cedar Rapids to see Sandberg and the Chiefs play the Kernels. The Chiefs won 5-2 in a pretty exciting game. Some highlights:

Josh Donaldson (C- 1st Round 07)- Got the offense going with a 2 run homer in the 1st that was a blast to Left Field. He also got a hard hit single in between the SS and 3B in the 6th or 7th. He also should have gotten a stolen base as it appeared to everyone around that he slid under a high tag but was none-the-less called out. The call resulted in Ryne Sandberg running in from his 3rd base coach box and having a fun little 30 second argument with the umpire. On the negative side for Donaldson, he had a rough night behind the plate, giving up two stolen bases on throws that bounced to the bag. He also seemed to drop quite a few balls that were very easy to catch and in the strike zone. Donaldson also provided the funniest moment of the evening as he attempted to snap throw at a runner on first and ended up hitting the left handed batter in the helmet. All in all, he showed a nice swing but needs some serious work behind the plate.

Cliff Andersen (RF- 9th Round 06)- Broke open a 2-2 tie in the 7th inning with a 3 run blast to right field. I was very surprised to see a RF in the leadoff spot, but it seemed to work for the Chiefs today as Anderson had an additional 2 singles and scored 2 runs.

Dylan Johnston (LF- 4th Round 05)- Had 2 hits and a walk. He is a big guy at 6' 225lbs. and got caught stealing. He also tried to bunt for a hit in the 2nd inning and got thrown out by about 5 steps.

Kyler Burke (1B- Traded from Padres for Barrett)- Had a single today and made some nice picks at first base. Was surprised to see him at 1B because I had thought he was an outfielder but he looked nice at 1B (which isn't that difficult I guess).

Billy Muldowny (8th Round 06) got the start and threw 3.2 innings and gave up 2 earned. His fastball topped out at 86 and was consistently in the 83-84 range. Had pretty good command of the strike zone though. Jordan Latham (29th Round 06) threw 2.1 uneventful innings and got the win. I was most impressed with Craig Muschko (22nd Round 07) who pitched 2 hitless innings and was sitting in the 88-90mph range and was making the Kernels looks silly. Steve Vento (23rd Round 07) got his second save of the year walking one batter and striking out one.

Box score of the game here. I Will be making the trip back up to CR for the Wednesday game.

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Donaldson

may very well end up at first base. I know the guy over at “The Cub Reporter” likes to compare him to Paul Konerko. Don’t know how accurate that is, but it would be nice if he was.

Burke was probably just playing first base to let Andersen play some right field. Burke has been in right most of the season.

Thanks for the recap. I used to go to Veteran’s Memorial Stadium all the time to see the Kernels, but that was the old Veteran’s Stadium.

If you haven’t made the trip to Davenport to see ~~John O’Donnell Stadium~~, you absolutely have to. It dates back to the Great Depression (I’m pretty sure it’s been remolded since I was there in the mid-90s) and it’s got the greatest views of the Mississippi.

OK, just checked. They don’t call it John O’Donnell Stadium anymore. But go see whatever they call it anyway.

It's a girl! Born 1-18-08. 2246 PST. 8 lbs. 1 oz.

by Josh Timmers on May 5, 2008 11:58 PM CDT reply actions

Donaldson

I thought that I had read somewhere that Donaldson would likely be at 1B in the future and sinse I read the Cub Reporter that must be where I got it from. This was the first minor league game I’ve been to in my life, and I must say, it was an absolute blast. Can’t beat sitting 2 rows behind home play for 9 bucks. I just might have to find time to make it Davenport although its a lot further away than Cedar Rapids is. Although with school out next week, I will have some time so I’ll definitely keep that in mind.

Aramis Ramirez- NL MVP
Kosuke Fukudome- NL ROY
Carlos Marmol- Rolaids Relief Man

by sheamcmurray on May 6, 2008 12:08 AM CDT up reply actions

It's been seriously remoddeled.

And now they call it Modern Woodmen Park, after some insurance company. I don’t think it’s open right now – the Missisippi went up over its banks last week, and they’re still getting downtown in shape. I keep telling myself I’ll see a Chiefs game there this summer, but I don’t know that I will.

I has a blog.

by cwyers on May 6, 2008 12:24 AM CDT up reply actions