Blankenhorn homers again, Kernels hand Kane County its first loss

GENEVA, Ill. — Travis Blankenhorn homered for the third time in four games to help the Cedar Rapids Kernels to a 6-1 win Tuesday afternoon over the Kane County Cougars in Midwest League baseball at Northwestern Medicine Field.

It's the first loss of the season for Kane County (5-1). The Kernels moved to 3-3.

Blankenhorn's solo blast capped the scoring in the seventh inning for Cedar Rapids, which scored three times in the first inning and twice each in the second and third. He had two hits in the game, as did Shane Carrier.

Both drove in a pair of runs each.

Starting pitcher Tyler Beardsley (1-0) retired the first nine hitters he faced and picked up the win. He allowed a run and three hits in five innings.

Brady Anderson threw four hitless relief innings for the save. The teams conclude their three-game series Wednesday morning at 11.

l Comments: (319) 398-8259; jeff.johnson@thegazette.com