Kernels now 5-0 against Kane County this season

GENEVA, Ill. - Cedar Rapids got home runs from Brandon Decker and Carlos Ramirez and six scoreless innings from starter Brian Diemer en route to a 6-3 win over the Kane County Cougars Monday afternoon at Elfstrom Stadium.

Diemer (3-1) allowed just three hits in six innings. He struck out five and walked none. Manny Correa pitched a scoreless seventh and eight before the Cougars scored three in the bottom of the ninth off Erik Gregersen. Caleb Graham came on to get the final out for his second save this season.

With the Kernels up 1-0 in the sixth, Decker blasted a three-run shot to lengthen the lead. Ramirez added a two-run homer in the eighth.

Robert Penny (0-1) started his first game for Kane County on the season and took the loss. He went five innings, allowing one run on four hits.

The Kernels (16-8) will go for the series sweep Tuesday at noon in the final game of the three-game series.

Cedar Rapids is 5-0 in games against the Cougars so far this season.