GENEVA, Ill. - The Cedar Rapids Kernels stormed past the Kane County Cougars, 15-2, before 6,726 fans in a Midwest League game at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark Saturday night.

The Kernels (35-19) won their fifth straight game. They collected 15 hits and were led by Dalton Hicks, who hit two home runs and drove in four runs.

The start of the game was delayed one hour and 18 minutes due to rain.

Tyler Grimes had three hits and scored four runs. Jeremias Pineda added a three-run homer. Niko Goodrum drove in three runs while J.D. Williams and Jorge Polanco had two RBIs.

Brett Lee (4-3) was excellent on the hill, allowing two runs (one earned) on seven hits in seven innings. He struck out four and walked two. Manuel Soliman went the final two innings, allowing no runs or hits.

The offense began the scoring barrage with a three-run first inning. Goodrum doubled and came home when Polanco connected for an RBI double.

Hicks followed with his first of two long balls. This was a two-run shot to put the Kernels up 3-0.

Cedar Rapids added three runs in the second inning, extending the lead to 6-0. Williams doubled home Grimes. Goodrum's RBI single plated Pineda, and Williams came home on Polanco's RBI fielder's choice.

The Kernels took a 7-0 lead in the third inning on an RBI single by Grimes that scored Adam Brett Walker.

Two homers in the fifth inning for the Kernels blew the game open at 11-0. Hicks led off the frame with his second home run. Later in the inning, Pineda smacked a three-run shot.

Kane County plated a pair in the bottom of the fifth inning on an RBI single by Albert Almora and a wild pitch, cutting the Kernels' lead to 11-2.

A bases loaded walk to Goodrum in the seventh inning scored Grimes, making the score 12-2.

The offensive outburst was capped off with a three-run ninth inning, pushing the Kernels' lead to 15-2. Williams singled home Grimes and Candido Pimentel crossed home on Goodrum's RBI groundout. Hicks collected his fourth RBI when he drove in Pineda with a sacrifice fly.

The Kernels scored 15 runs on 15 hits with Byton Buxton, their top hitter, enjoying the night off.

Tayler Scott (2-2) took the loss for the Cougars, allowing seven runs over four innings.

Cedar Rapids and Kane County are scheduled to play again Sunday at 1 p.m. with Hudson Boyd (1-3, 6.15) pitching for the Kernels.

KERNELS (15): Williams, lf, 5 1 2 2, Goodrum, ss, 5 1 2 3, Polanco, 2b, 5 1 1 2, Hicks, 1b, 4 2 3 4, Walker, rf, 5 1 1 0, Harrison, 3b, 5 0 0 0, Grimes, c, 3 4 3 1, Pimentel, dh, 5 2 1 0, Pineda, cf, 3 3 2 3. Totals 40 15 15 15.

KANE COUNTY (2): Amaya, 2b, 3 1 1 0, Almora, cf, 4 1 2 0, Vogelbach, 1b, 4 0 0 0, Candelario, 3b, 4 0 2 0, Shoulders, dh, 4 0 0 0, Escobar, c, 3 0 1 0, Zapata, lf, 3 0 1 0, Golden, rf, 4 0 0 0, Hernandez, ss, 4 0 0 0. Totals 33 2 7 0.

Kernels           331 040 103 - 15 15 1
Kane County  000 020 000 -  2   7  1

Lee, Soliman (8) and Grimes. Scott, Dickson (5), Dorris (8), Bote (9) and Escobar. W - Lee (4-3). L - Scott (2-2). 2B - Goodrum (12), Polanco (15), Williams (9), Walker (12), Escobar (2). 3B - Grimes (3). HR - Hicks 2 (7), Pineda (1). SB - Waker (4). E - Walker (3), Hernandez (12). T - 2:36. A - 6,726.