Kernels Secure Key Win

DAVENPORT - Brandon Lopez had three hits and scored twice, and Travis Blankenhorn had a pair of triples as the Cedar Rapids Kernels secured an important 10-5 win Tuesday night over Quad Cities in a key Midwest League baseball game.

The victory moved the Kernels (37-28) three games ahead of Q.C. in the Western Division. Cedar Rapids leads the division, with Kane County a half-game back.

The top two in the division automatically qualify for the MWL playoffs. Cedar Rapids has five first-half games remaining, including back-to-backers Wednesday and Thursday nights at Quad Cities.

Kane County actually has six games to go, including a weekend double-header with Peoria.

The teams traded three-run rallies early, with C.R.'s coming in the second and Q.C.'s in the third.

A Ben Rortvedt two-run double broke a 3-3 tie in the fourth, and Cedar Rapids never trailed thereafter. Sean Poppen (5-1) allowed three runs in 5 2/3 innings to get the starting pitching win.

Logan Lombana and Hector Lujan followed him out of the bullpen.

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