Jeremy a Thorne in Wisconsin's side

Where would the Cedar Rapids Kernels be without Alexi Amarista? For that matter, where would the Cedar Rapids Kernels pitching staff be without Jeremy Thorne?

You don't really want to think much about the answer to that first question, considering the Kernels remained two games under .500 after a double-header split with Wisconsin Thursday night at Memorial Stadium.

That's despite the superb play of Amarista, the wunderkind teenage second baseman from Venezuela who has been a revelation the first month of the Midwest League season. He has without question been his team's best offensive and defensive player, adding to his ever-growing status Thursday by reaching base all six times in a 4-2, eight-inning Game 1 win for Wisconsin and 5-3 Game 2 win for Cedar Rapids.

Speaking of that second-game victory, Thorne - a closer thus far in his career - saved a bullpen he's normally a part of by throwing five shutout innings in a spot start. It was the first professional start for the right-hander from Florida Southern University, a test he absolutely aced by giving up just four hits and not allowing a runner past second base.

 The Kernels came within an out of their second shutout, with reliever Andrew Taylor - just back from high-A Rancho Cucamonga - giving up three seventh-inning runs but stranding the tying run at home plate. The Kernels (15-17) and Wisconsin (12-20) complete their four-game series Friday night at 6:35.

"Yeah, I was a little surprised they asked me to start (Thursday)," said Thorne, who had eight saves last season for Rookie Orem and three this season for Cedar Rapids. "We talked about it a little bit in spring training. I told them I wanted to close. But I started my junior year in college.

"I treated it tonight just like coming out of the pen. I didn't come out until later, just like I normally would. Just take a few pitches to warm up and go into the game."

Now back to Amarista.

He moved into the top five in the MWL in hitting (.351) after going 2-for-2 with a walk in each game. He scored both first-game runs for the Kernels: walking leading off the bottom of the first, advancing to second and third on wild pitches and scoring on a Roberto Lopez sacrifice fly, then doubling leading off the fourth and scoring on a Gabe Jacobo double.

In Game 2, he tripled home Matt Crawford in the first and scored on a Lopez groundout.

"He's good," Thorne said. "He's going to be a big leaguer one day."

"It's just everything about him," said Kernels Manager Bill Mosiello. "He plays very intelligently. Nothing he does surprises me. He's a really good player."

If you're wondering how long the 19-year-old switch-hitter will stick around these parts at this rate, considering the parent Los Angeles Angels are rife with middle-infield prospects throughout their farm system, including Rancho.

"It's his first full season, so he's got to play," Mosiello said. "He's only a 19-year-old. (But) is he worthy (of a promotion)? Without question. And he could do it, without question also."

The Kernels were limited to three hits and four total baserunners in the first game, yet it went to extra innings. Wisconsin won on a one-out RBI single from former Indian Hills Community College first baseman Brock Kjeldgaard off the glove of Cedar Rapids third baseman Adam Younger.

Kjeldgaard put a scare into the Kernels in the second game with a three-run double in the seventh.