originally posted by lynchy34, Des Moines Kernels GM
One game out?
I guess the thing to do to motivate this club is to say we're waving the white flag and trade one of our top starting pitchers.
The Des Moines Kernels pulled to within a single game of the FL Wild Card, behind Seattle at 62-56. It's kind of crazy that the Kernels have hung around at this point, but the Kernel offense seems to get better each week (up to 7th in the FL in runs scored), while the pitching continues to be strong (3rd best in the FL). Rookie
P Tom Mayes not withstanding, the starting rotation has been pretty damn solid. If Mayes' struggles continue, veteran
P John Hoggan may get a long look for the rest of the season in the starting rotation. Catching Birmingham at this point is a pipe dream, as the Bandits hold a seven-game lead over the Kernels in the Frick Midwest.
Staying Put and Winning Hardware
Rumors were flying around Iowa that potential free agent
1B Terry Francisen might be shipped out of town at the trade deadline. But no suitors appeared for the most part, and Francisen stayed in Des Moines.
That may be a good thing, as he has caught fire. Francisen earned Frick League Batter of the Month honors in July, hitting .360 with 6 doubles, 6 homers, 22 RBI adn 25 runs scored. After a horrific start, the 33-year-old has gotten it going as the dog days of summer have bore down. Maybe the old man doesn't like the cold, I don't know. He has management seriously considering offering him a contract extension to stay in Des Moines for the next few seasons.
There's Something About Des Moines
Veteran
P Eric van Leemer must like Des Moines for some reason. The 35-year-old is in the midst of one of his best seasons as a pro and is a big reason why the Kernels have managed to stay in the playoff chase. He is 10-8 with a 3.75 ERA this season, which puts him on pace for his lowest ERA since he posted a 3.65 ERA in 1992. Oddly enough, that was EVL's last season in Des Moines before being dealt west to California. EVL needs just three more wins to tie his career high of 13, set in 1990, his first season in Iowa. Van Leemer has shown no signs of slowing down really, and will be back in 1996 to pitch somewhere in the middle of the Kernel rotation.