Kernels grab series lead in playoff opener

You expected Alexi Amarista to be the extra-innings catalyst. You just didn't expect him to do the way he did.

Amarista reached leading off the 10th inning on a strikeout wild pitch, of all things, then scored the winning run when an attempted intentional walk turned into a wild pitch, of all things, as the Cedar Rapids Kernels took the all-important opener of a best-of-3 series Midwest League playoff series over Peoria, 6-4, Wednesday night at O'Brien Field.

The Kernels could put away the Western Division's second-half champs with a win Thursday night in Game 2 or Friday night in an if necessary-Game 3, both at Memorial Stadium.

“It's definitely a momentum builder for everybody,” said Kernels designated hitter Roberto Lopez. “It's a confidence booster, too. Definitely a huge win, a good one to get out of the way. Now we go back home and hopefully get another win tomorrow.”

Lopez had a humongous hit in the 10th, doubling into the right-field corner to send Amarista to third. Peoria relief pitcher Kevin Kreier then tried to walk cleanup hitter Beau Brooks to load the bases with none out but threw his first ball over catcher Michael Brenly's head and to the backstop to score Amarista.

Brooks was then pitched to and lined a single up the middle to score Lopez with insurance.

“Pretty crazy,” Lopez said. “When they were intentionally walking (Brooks) ... I was pretty close to second base, and it caught me by surprise a little bit.

“Then Beau got that huge hit.”

“We'll take this one,” said Kernels Manager Bill Mosiello. “They're a good club, and this series is not even close to being over. I'm just glad we got this one, especially with how tough a loss this would have been.”

Would have been tough because the Kernels led at one point, 4-1, only to get tied when Jovan Rosa hit a two-run home run off closer Andrew Taylor in the bottom of the ninth.

Peoria had the winning run at third base, but Taylor got pinch hitter Mario Mercedes to ground out to send it to extras.

Peoria's first two hitters in the 10th reached, but Nick Pugliese got Rebel Ridling to ground into a double play and Kyler Burke to line to left to end it.

“We came out here and proved that we could play with these boys,” said Kernels starter Will Smith, who was terrific in a seven-inning stint. “Just because we don't hit home runs all the time like they do doesn't mean we can't play with them.”