Kernels fall again at Wisconsin

APPLETON, Wis. - Another poor starting pitching performance sabotaged the Cedar Rapids Kernels Friday night and led to a 12-8 loss to Wisconsin.

Ryan Eades (3-7) allowed eight hits and nine runs in two innings, as Wisconsin (29-31) rolled to a 6-1 lead after an inning and a 9-6 lead after two.

Eades, a second-round draft pick last year, saw his earned run average balloon to 7.07.

The Kernels (27-34) did fight, scoring five times in the top of the second inning to secure a 6-6 tie. Cedar Rapids Washington grad Chad Christensen finished with a four-hit game that included a double and three RBIs.

He has raised his season batting average to .302.

Ryan Walker went 2-for-4 with three runs and an RBI for the Kernels, who begin a series Saturday at Kane County.