Despite rainout, Kernels win division

The magic number for the Cedar Rapids Kernels clinching the Midwest League's Western Division is 0.

The team "backed into" the championship despite having its double-header with Burlington Friday night rained out. The Kernels trailed Burlington in the bottom of the third, 2-0, when heavy rains hit.

The suspended game will be made up as part of a double-header beginning Saturday at 5:30 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Because the second-place Quad City River Bandits lost their game at Peoria, the Kernels have officially clinched the Western Division first-half title.

It's Cedar Rapids' first first-half championship since 1992 (Cedar Rapids Reds).

Carlo Testa reached on a bunt single with one out in the second for Burlington, then Rene Oriental smoked a two-run home run to left. Garrett Richards was the starting pitcher for Cedar Rapids and Nick Wooley for Burlington.