Walker goes over 100-RBI mark in Kernels win

GENEVA, Ill. - Adam Brett Walker is getting closer and closer to an all-time Cedar Rapids professional baseball record. But will he run out of time before he can get there?

The Cedar Rapids Kernels outfielder homered and drove in three runs to go over the 100-RBI mark this season in a 8-4 win over Kane County on Sunday afternoon. It's the Kernels' fifth consecutive victory.

Walker hit a three-run homer over the batter's eye in dead center at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark to give Cedar Rapids (72-45)  a comfortable lead in the fifth inning. He has 26 homers this season, which ranks eighth all-time in club history. Jeff Jones recorded a seemingly unreachable 42 longballs in 1982.

Walker's 102 RBIs are tops in the minor leagues this season and place him third all-time in modern-day Cedar Rapids history. Larry Barnes drove in 112 runs for the Kernels in 1996.

John Tanner has the modern-day club record with 121 in 1949. The Kernels have 21 regular-season games remaining.

"I think it's a pretty cool accomplishment," Walker said. "You don't see that too often. But I think a lot of it has to do with the guys in front of me (in the batting order) and them getting on base. It's hard to get 100 by yourself."

Walker also had his seventh triple of the season in the game, helping the Kernels (32-17) maintain a 1 1/2-game lead on Quad Cities in the Midwest League Western Division second-half standings.

Christian Powell (3-5) picked up the pitching victory in relief. Alex Muren threw scoreless eighth and ninth innings for his second save.

The teams conclude their three-game series Monday night at 6:30. The Kernels have Tuesday off, then begin a three-game home series Wednesday night against Beloit.