Another frustrating loss for Kernels

When you're going good, you win a game like Thursday night's. The Cedar Rapids Kernels aren't and didn't.

The Kernels gave up two go-ahead runs in the top of the ninth inning, and couldn't score the tying run in the bottom half despite having the bases loaded and no one out in a terribly frustrating 6-5 loss to Wisconsin before 2,286 fans at Memorial Stadium.

How close were the Kernels to at least tying this one? With one out, Roberto Lopez worked a 3-0 count on Timber Rattlers reliever Nick Tyson, only to bang into a game-ending 4-6-3 double play a couple of pitches later.

“Unbelievable,” said Kernels Manager Bill Mosiello. “We had the right guys up and a 3-0 count. What else could you ask for?"

Cedar Rapids (65-52, 25-22) has lost five of six, but none was as stomach turning as last night's game. The Kernels had a 4-1 lead going to the sixth inning, a 4-2 lead going the seventh and were still ahead going to the eighth, 4-3.

They had been a lock in those situations this season, compiling a 51-2 record when leading after seven. You can make it 51-3.

Wisconsin (51-65, 17-29) tied it without a hit in the eighth, taking advantage of reliever Christian Scholl's three walks. Nick Pugliese (2-2) took a 0.68 earned run average into last night's game but surrendered three hits and threw a wild pitch in the ninth.

Matt Crawford's single to left scored a run in the bottom half. But Alexi Amarista, the Kernels' best player, struck out swinging, then Lopez hit his hard grounder right at second baseman Brett Lawrie.

Lawrie booted the ball initially, but picked it up and tossed it to shortstop Josh Prince, who barehanded Lawrie's scoop and threw in the same motion to first to double up Lopez.

“Alexi's only weakness in his play right now is when he gets in those situations, he tries to do way too much,” Mosiello said. “He gets away from the great player he is instead of just having a good at-bat.”