The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers opened the Midwest League playoffs with a 11-3 loss to the Cedar Rapids Kernels on Wednesday night at Fox Cities Stadium.
After trailing early, the Timber Rattlers scored three runs in the fifth to tie the game, but Cedar Rapids would answer with a five-run sixth inning and then score three more times in the eighth to put the game away.
Wisconsin needs a win tonight in Cedar Rapids in game two of the best 2-of-3 series to force a third and deciding game on Friday night.
The winner of the series will move on to the Western Division Finals.
