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The Chiefs fell to the Cedar Rapids Kernels by a score of 4-3 Friday night. It was Peoria’s 14th loss in 16 games against the Kernels this season and their third straight against the Twins High-A affiliate.
Chiefs catcher Zade Richardson got the party started with an opposite-field home run to give Peoria an early 2-0 advantage. For Richardson, it was his first home run since July 9, also against Cedar Rapids.
Logan Gragg was solid on the hill for much of the night. Gragg did not allow a run through his first five innings but ran into trouble in the sixth. Cedar Rapids tied the contest on a two-run double by Gabriel Maciel, which forced Gragg’s exit from the contest. He did not allow an earned run over 5.1 innings.
The tie would not be for long, though. Peoria reclaimed a 3-2 lead on a solo home run off the bat of Aaron Antonini. It was Antonini’s first home run as a Chief and his first since June 19 in Double-A Springfield.
After getting out of the sixth inning without allowing a run, Diego Cordero, who made his first appearance in a Chiefs uniform since 2019, allowed a two-run blast to Matt Wallner to give the lead back to Cedar Rapids. It was Wallner’s 10th home run of the year and the deciding blow.
From there, the Chiefs were unable to rally. A leadoff walk in the eighth reached third base with two outs but Melvi Acosta slammed the door for Cedar Rapids to earn the save.
The series between the Chiefs and the Kernels continues tomorrow on a jam-packed Saturday. Cardinals pitcher Miles Mikolas will make a rehab start for Peoria. A postgame fireworks show will follow the ballgame. Remedy Drive, the band that produced the hit song, “All Along,” will perform as well after the contest. Tickets remain available for tomorrow’s festivities. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. with first pitch slated for 6:35.
