Eades strong again as Kernels conclude regular season with win

CLINTON - Ryan Eades continued his strong late-season surge with seven quality starting pitching innings as the Cedar Rapids Kernels concluded their regular season with a 3-1 win Monday afternoon over the Clinton LumberKings.

Eades (10-11) allowed just three hits and a run, striking out two. He hasn't lost since July 20, dropping his earned run average in that time from 6.67 to 5.14.

Hudson Boyd and Jake Reed finished up, with Reed notching the save and extending his scoreless innings streak to 22.2.

Alex Swim and J.D. Williams had two hits apiece for the Kernels, who finished with a 73-67 overall record, 42-28 in the second half.

They host Burlington on Wednesday night at 6:35 in Game 1 of their best-of-three Midwest League first-round playoff series. Game 2 is Thursday night at Burlington, with an if-necessary Game 3 Friday night at Burlington.

Kane County and Wisconsin play in the other Western Division semifinal series. In the Eastern Division, it's South Bend against Lake County and West Michigan versus Fort Wayne.