Kernels finally win at Quad Cities

DAVENPORT - The Cedar Rapids Kernels scored five runs in the first three innings and ended a seven-game losing streak at Modern Woodmen Park with a 6-1 win Tuesday night over the Quad Cities River Bandits.

Cedar Rapids (71-63, 40-24) collected 14 hits, at least one from each starter. Max Murphy led the way with three.

Chris Mazza (4-3) threw two shutout relief innings to get the pitching win. Starter Lewis Thorpe went four innings, allowing an unearned run and striking out eight.

The Kernels reduced their magic number to one for clinching the top second-half playoff seed in the Midwest League's Western Division. One more win or Wisconsin loss in the final six regular-season games means they will play Burlington in the first round of next week's MWL playoffs, with Game 1 at Cedar Rapids on Wednesday, Sept. 3.

The Kernels return home for their final regular-season homestand, entertaining Kane County on Wednesday night at 6:35. KC leads the division by three games over Cedar Rapids.