Kernels beat Wisconsin in 'big league debut,' 6-1

MILWAUKEE - Below the lineup card on a bulletin board in the Cedar Rapids Kernels' auxiliary clubhouse at Miller Park, Manager Bill Mosiello wrote a message to his team.

“This is the kind of ballpark you should want to play in EVERYDAY!!” Mosiello wrote. “Now, think about how hard you are going to push yourself to obtain that GOAL!!”

The vast majority of Kernels won't get to play in “this kind of ballpark” again. The averages say it'll be about three.

But everyone will remember being a big leaguer for at least one night.

“A day in paradise,” Mosiello said last night as the Kernels beat the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, 6-1, before 12,667 fans.

“Awesome,” said Kernels batting coach Brent Del Chiaro. “I'm just happy for these guys that they get to experience this environment. To be able to see what they're trying to get to.”

Orangel Arenas threw seven shutout innings, and Luis Jimenez and Randal Grichuk had run-scoring triples as Cedar Rapids won its first-ever game in a big league ballpark. The retractable roof at this beautiful home of the Milwaukee Brewers was closed on a cold, rainy night, though that didn't matter.

“It's amazing,” designated hitter Eric Oliver said. “You knew it was going to be pretty nice and stuff. But you don't really understand (how much) until you see it."

Several Kernels had already played in or spent time on fields at major league stadiums. Outfielders Mike Trout and Grichuk were first-round draft picks who took pre-draft batting practice for MLB teams last spring, and Oliver played a high-school game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles and a college game at the Metrodome in Minneapolis.

Pitcher Kyle Hurst and outfielder Justin Bass have fathers (Bruce and Kevin, respectively) who were longtime big leaguers.

“Never played in one but been to a few,” Hurst said. “This one's nice.”

As was the postgame meal. You had barbecued ribs and chicken, rice, potatoes and bread.

Big league all the way.

“It's far from peanut butter and jelly,” said shortstop Adam Younger, referring to the minor league food staple. “You always dream about playing in a stadium like this. You get a chance, you've got to soak it in.”

This was the second time in as many years Wisconsin - a Brewers affiliate - has played a regular-season game here. The rest of the three-game series will be at Appleton, though there's a chance of weekend snow.

The Kernels (15-14) - with the exception of second baseman Jean Segura - made an hour-and-a-half trip Friday afternoon to Milwaukee and took batting practice and infield practice before the game. Segura missed the bus, by the way.

They returned to Appleton following their postgame feast. With some great memories.

“When we got here, the guy took us to our locker room and apologized for how small it was,” said Kernels trainer Dan Nichols. “But, frankly, you could stick me in a bathroom for all I care. This is awesome.”