8 straight is great for Kernels

DAVENPORT - Newcomer Miguel Sulbaran threw five strong innings in his second pitching start as a Cedar Rapids Kernels, picking up a 6-1 win over the Quad Cities River Bandits Wednesday night.

Sulbaran was acquired in a trade last week that sent him from the Los Angeles Dodgers system to the Minnesota Twins. Major League catcher Drew Butera went from Minnesota to Los Angeles in the deal.

The 19-year-old left-hander from Venezuela gave up five hits and an unearned run against Quad Cities, striking out six. Alex Muren and Mason Melotakis followed with four shutout relief innings to allow Cedar Rapids to obtain a season-best 80-46 overall record.

The Kernels lead the second-half standings in the Midwest League Western Division by 6 1/2 games over second-place Quad Cities. They have a 40-18 second-half record and have won eight straight games and 14 of their last 15.

Offensively, Joel Licon hit a two-run home run, as Cedar Rapids, which scored all six of its runs between the third and sixth innings. Adam Brett Walker, Bo Altobelli and Mike Gonzales had two hits each.