Metro Sports Report

Trey Beckman wins Metro Spotlight Award

Trey Beckman of Cedar Rapids Prairie is the winner of the Metro Spotlight Award for high school boys this week, the Metro Sports Report announced Sunday.

Beckman, a senior, is one of the top baseball players in the Metro area. He is hitting .421 with 19 RBIs and doing an excellent job on defense in left field for the Hawks.

Beckman has collected 11 doubles and one triple this season. He's also 18 for 20 in stolen bases.

Kernels cut Bixler, put Tillery on DL

The Cedar Rapids Kernels and Minnesota Twins announced Tuesday that pitcher Zack Tillery has been placed on the 7-day Disabled List, retroactive to July 12, with a left calf strain and pitcher Brandon Bixler has been released from the team.

Tillery has made 18 appearances (nine starts) for the Kernels, posting a 5-4 record, 2.67 ERA and one save.

Bixler was activated off the DL on June 24 and made six relief appearances for the Kernels, posting a 1-1 record and 6.30 ERA.

The Twins did not announce any corresponding moves. The Kernels roster is at 23 active players, two below the Midwest League maximum of 25.

The Kernels return to Perfect Game Field at 6:35 p.m. Wednesday at Veterans Memorial Stadium to host the Burlington Bees.

Metro Players in Pro Baseball

The Metro Sports Report provides regular updates on all the Metro graduates in pro baseball. Here is the report through Monday, July 13:

SCOTT SCHEBLER (CR Prairie), Oklahoma City, OF, Triple-A, Pacific Coast League (Dodgers): Schebler has been on the 7-Day Disabled List since July 4 with a hamstring injury. He is hitting .243 with 10 homers and 30 RBIs.

CHAD CHRISTENSEN (CR Washington), Fort Myers, OF, High-A, Florida State League (Twins): Christensen did not play Monday in a 3-2 loss to Clearwater. He is hitting .250 with two homers and 28 RBIs.

JON KELLER (CR Xavier), Frederick, P, High-A, Carolina League (Orioles): Keller did not pitch Monday in a 3-1 victory over Salem. He has 3-4 record, 3.86 ERA, two holds and three saves.

MITCH KELLER (CR Xavier), Bristol, P, Rookie, Appalachian League (Pirates): Keller has not pitched in any of Bristol's 18 games this season due to a sore right arm.

Kernels fall on walk-off homer

GENEVA, Ill. - Ildemaro Vargas belted a pinch-hit walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning Sunday to give Kane County a 3-1 victory over the Cedar Rapids Kernels before 6,169 fans at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark.

The two-run home run was a line smash that slipped just over the wall in left field. It came with two outs and also scored Henry Castillo, who was at first base. It was the second home run of the season for Vargas.

Brandon Bixler (1-1) allowed the home run and took the loss, allowing two runs, one hit and one walk in two-thirds of an inning. Zac Curtis (3-3) earned the win after tossing a scoreless top of the ninth.

Kane County (51-35) scored first with a run in the fourth inning. Marty Herum led off the frame with a double to field field. A Colin Bray sacrifice bunt advanced Herum to third. Michael Perez followed Bray with a sacrifice fly to center.

Cedar Rapids (52-36) tied the game, 1-1, with a run in the eighth. Sean Miller led off with a single through the right side. Tanner English reached on an error, giving the Kernels runners at first and second. Nick Gordon followed with an RBI single up the middle.