Metro Sports Report

Kernels clipped by Clinton in 11 innings

CLINTON - The Cedar Rapids Kernels have built a reputation for not giving up even when they fall behind early, but even when you prove you can come back, sometimes it’s just not enough.

That was the case Saturday night at Ashford University Field in Clinton as the Kernels fell to the LumberKings, 6-5 in 11 innings, before a crowd of 1,652.

Kernels hitters struggled against Clinton pitcher Matt Anderson throughout Anderson’s seven innings of work. The Clinton starting pitcher held the Kernels to three hits, though the Kernels did scratch out two runs against him.

Local players in pro baseball

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

SCOTT SCHEBLER (Prairie, Rancho Cucamonga (Dodgers)) - Started in right field Saturday and was 3-for-5 with two doubles, three runs scored and a stolen base in the Quakes' 16-6 win at High Desert. Season stats: G - 73, Avg. - .309, AB - 275, H - 85, HR - 15, RBI - 48, SB - 8.

KELLEN SWEENEY (Jefferson, Lansing (Blue Jays)) - Started at third base Saturday and was 0-for-3 in the Lugnuts' 1-0 loss to Bowling Green. Season stats: G - 69, Avg. - .180, AB - 222, H - 40, HR - 3, RBI - 15, SB - 0.

ANDREW HANSE (Linn-Mar, Hudson Valley (Rays)) - Did not pitch Sunday in the Renegades' 4-2 win at Vermont. Season stats: W - 1. L - 1. Sv - 1. ERA - 4.50. G - 7. IP - 12. H - 9. BB - 5. SO - 9.

CHAD CHRISTENSEN (Washington, GCL Twins (Twins)) - Started at first base in game suspended from Friday and was 1-for-3 with a double and two runs scored. Did not play in Saturday's scheduled game. Season stats: G - 9, Avg. - .290, AB - 31, H - 9, HR - 0, RBI - 6, SB - 0.

Indians drop pair to No.1 Beckman

The Marion Indians hosted Class 2A top-ranked Dyersville Beckman in a Wamac Conference showdown Friday night and dropped both ends of the doubleheader, 10-1 and 11-7.

Game one saw Beckman (26-5, 23-3) dominate. The first four batters in the Trailblazer lineup accounted for 10 of their 13 hits, all of the runs and all but one of the team’s RBIs. Mitch Steger led the way for Beckman, going 4-4 and scoring five runs.

Quinn Cannoy led the Marion attack by going 2-for-3. Caleb Stekl got the lone Marion RBI on a single in the sixth.

“I am seeing the ball really well right now,” said Cannoy. “My confidence seems to be growing every game and I just keep working and I am seeing that work pay off.”

Game two proved uncomfortable for the Indians. They led 4-2 going into the fifth inning, but at that point the momentum turned sharply. The Trailblazers scored nine runs in the final three innings and only two of the runs were earned.

Kernels lose game, but gain in attendance

The Cedar Rapids Kernels dropped a tough ballgame Friday night, but they took another step forward in fan support when they passed 100,000 in attendance for the season.

The Kernels squandered a 6-2 lead and lost to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, 8-7, before 3,193 fans in a Midwest League game at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

The Kernels have drawn 101,901 fans in 41 dates this season, which is a healthy 18.9 percent increase and 16,232 fans ahead of last year's figure after 41 openings, according to Cedar Rapids General Manager Doug Nelson.