BELOIT, Wis. - The Cedar Rapids Kernels fell to the Beloit Snappers, 5-4, Friday night before 853 fans in a Midwest League game at Pohlman Field.

Beloit's victory completed a three-game sweep and lifted the Snappers within two games of the Kernels in the Western Division.

Cedar Rapids (30-16) has lost three straight games for the first time this year.

The Kernels' greatest offensive opportunities came in the second and third innings, but they wasted too many chances.

Cedar Rapids tied the game, 1-1, with a run in the second inning, but the rally ended when Byron Buxton hit into a double play.

The Kernels took a 3-1 lead in the third inning with a pair of runs on an unusual play. Adam Brett Walker connected for a two-run single to left field with the bases loaded that scored Niko Goodrum and Jorge Polanco.

Dalton Hicks was thrown out on the same sequence trying to advance to third base and Walker was nailed as he attempted to reach second, so the same play produced two runs and two outs.

Candido Pimentel extended the Kernels' lead to 4-1 in the fourth inning as the second baseman singled home Tyler Grimes, who tripled to lead off the inning.

Beloit entered the scoresheet first as catcher Bruce Maxwell hit an RBI double. The Snappers were then held scoreless until the fourth when Ryan Mathews hit a two-out, two-run homer to pull his team within 4-3.

The Snappers got another two-run homer in the fifth as Matt Olson connected for one that just got over the wall in center field. Olson's long ball put Beloit in front, 5-4.

Tyler Duffey (3-2) exited after five innings for the Kernels, yielding five runs on nine hits while walking two and striking out four.

Reliever Steve Gruver threw two innings. Tim Atherton followed Gruver for one inning and struck out two for Cedar Rapids.

Derek De Young (4-1) went five innings for Beloit and Vince Voiro pitched the final four innings for his second save.

Cedar Rapids returns home Saturday night to host the Burlington Bees at 6:35. Jose Berrios (3-1, 2.86) is scheduled to pitch for the Kernels on fireworks night.

KERNELS (4): Buxton, cf, 4 0 1 0, Goodrum, 1b, 4 1 2 0, Polanco, ss, 4 1 1 0, Hicks, dh, 4 0 1 0, Walker, rf, 4 1 2 2, Harrison, 3b, 2 0 1 0, Grimes, c, 4 1 1 0, Pimentel, 2b, 4 0 1 1, Williams, lf, 4 0 1 1. Totals 34 4 11 4.

BELOIT (5): Vertigan, cf, 4 0 1 0, Robertson, ss, 5 1 1 0, Maxwell, c, 4 1 3 1, Nunez, 3b, 3 0 0 0, Olson, 1b, 3 1 1 2, Wooten, rf, 3 0 1 0, Bostick, 2b, 3 0 1 0, Lewis, dh, 4 1 1 0, Mathews, lf, 4 1 2 2. Totals 33 5 11 5.

Kernels     012 100 000 - 4 11 1
Beloit        100 220 00x - 5 11 1

Duffey, Gruver (6), Atherton (8) and Grimes. De Young, Voiro (6) and Maxwell. W - De Young (4-1). L - Duffey (3-2). Sv - Voiro (2). 2B - Robertson (4), Maxwell (12). 3B - Grimes (2). HR - Mathews (4), Olson (6). SB - Pimentel (9), Buxton (22), Goodrum (4). E - Grimes (3), Bostick (9). T - 2:41. A - 853.