Metro Sports Report

Cougars' 2-run rally ends Kernels streak

GENEVA, Ill. - The Kane County Cougars scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to come from behind and edge the Kernels, 4-3, Monday night in a Midwest League baseball game at Fifth Third Bank Field.

The loss snapped a five-game winning streak for the Kernels, who finished 5-1 on the road trip.

The Kernels led 3-2 going into the bottom of the ninth inning when Jeimer Candelario started the rally with a double to left field.  Rock Shoulders brought home Candelario with an RBI single into right field, tying the game 3-3. Shoulders advanced to second base on the throw home and was lifted for pinch-runner Jose Dore.

Local players in pro baseball

RYAN SWEENEY (Xavier, Chicago Cubs) - Placed on disabled list June 30 with fractured rib. Expected to return Sept. 1. Season stats: G - 44, Avg. - .295, AB - 112, H - 33, HR - 4, RBI - 15, SB - 1.

SCOTT SCHEBLER (Prairie, Rancho Cucamonga (Dodgers)) - The Quakes were idle Monday. Season stats: G - 105, Avg. - .307, AB - 402, H - 123, HR - 25, RBI - 79, SB - 13.

KELLEN SWEENEY (Jefferson, Lansing (Blue Jays)) - Started at third base Monday and was 0-for-2 in the Lugnuts' 3-1 loss to Great Lakes. Season stats: G - 96, Avg. - .177, AB - 305, H - 54, HR - 5, RBI - 22, SB - 0.

ANDREW HANSE (Linn-Mar, Bowling Green (Rays)) - Pitched two scoreless innings of relief Monday, allowed one hit and struck out four in the Hot Rods' 3-2 loss to Lake County. Season stats: W - 1. L - 0. Sv - 0. ERA - 1.00. G - 4. IP - 9. H - 1. BB - 0. SO - 11.

CHAD CHRISTENSEN (Washington, GCL Twins (Twins)) - Started at first base Monday and was 1-for-5 with a double and an RBI in the Twins' 6-5 loss to the GCL Orioles. Season stats: G - 34, Avg. - .227, AB - 119, H - 27, HR - 1, RBI - 16, SB - 3.

JON KELLER (Xavier, GCL Orioles (Orioles)) - Pitched 3.2 innings in relief Monday and picked up the win despite allowing six hits and three runs. He struck out four and the Orioles beat the GCL Twins, 6-5. Season stats: W - 1. L - 0. Sv - 0. ERA - 2.79. G - 4. IP - 9.2. H - 9. BB - 0. SO - 9.

Walker cracks the 100-RBI mark in win

GENEVA, Ill. - Adam Brett Walker hit a three-run home run to push his season RBI total past the 100-barrier and powered the Cedar Rapids Kernels past the Kane County Cougars, 8-4, Sunday afternoon.

The Midwest League baseball game was played before a crowd of 5,574 at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark. It was the Kernels' fifth straight win.

Walker belted his 26th home run in the fifth inning with two aboard giving him 102 RBIs for the season. That total ranks third in the modern day (since 1949) history of the Cedar Rapids baseball club. He is 10 behind Larry Barnes, who played for the Kernels in 1996. John Tanner is the modern day record holder with 121 set in 1949.

Keller wins Metro Spotlight award

Mitch Keller of Xavier High School has been named the winner of the Metro Spotlight award for this week, the Metro Sports Report announced Sunday night.

Keller helped the Saints reach the Class 4A state baseball tournament this year as a star pitcher and hitter. He compiled a 5-5 record and 1.72 ERA, with 91 strikeouts in 69.1 innings. Opponents hit only .194 against him all season.

Keller hit .347 with four home runs and 37 RBIs. He belted a dramatic three-run homer in the bottom of the 12th inning against Prairie in the substate finals to send the Saints (25-16) to state.