116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Altobelli shines as Kernels fall
Jeff Johnson
Apr. 16, 2014 12:25 am
CEDAR RAPIDS — It was just his third game this season, his first in five days.
Bo Altobelli didn't even get a chance to play a position last night. He was the Cedar Rapids Kernels' designated hitter.
If infrequent playing time isn't tough enough, the dude had to try and be productive in 30-degree weather while spending 99 percent of his time in a chilly dugout.
'You get a little cold on the bench, but I think last night was way worse,' Altobelli said, after his team saw its six-game win streak snapped with a 7-5 loss to South Bend at Veterans Memorial Stadium. 'Tonight was actually OK, I felt. We have those heaters in the dugout, which helps. I DHed a little bit in college, so I'm kind of used to that, sitting around and kind of waiting and waiting.'
Altobelli played part of last season with the Kernels, and his role in the early going of 2014 has been that of a third catcher. He had only six total plate appearances coming into last night, but showed little rust, going 1-for-2 with a pair of walks and a run scored.
That's really good under the circumstances, certainly one of the highlights for the Kernels (8-4), who were outhit, 13-6.
'Obviously, that's just the goal, to have a good at-bat,' Altobelli said. 'Not having that many at-bats, you just try and get up there and be productive. Whether you get a hit or not, you want to be productive. So I was trying to see some pitches, put together a good at-bat and see what happens from there.'
South Bend (4-7) scored three runs in the first inning and two more in the third to knock out Cedar Rapids starting pitcher Ryan Eades. The Kernels made it interesting late again, scoring four times in the seventh, including a two-run home run by Bryan Haar.
In fact, they had the bases loaded and none out in a 6-4 game. But Jason Kanzler hit a sharp grounder up the middle that appeared headed for center field, but ticked off the glove of reliever Will Locante and directly to shortstop Andrew Velazquez, who started a huge double play.
Four Kernels pitchers allowed 13 hits, walked six and struck out 16.
l Comments: (319) 398-8259; jeff.johnson@sourcemedia.net