GRAND CHUTE, Wis. - Christian Powell pitched a strong game and Travis Harrison belted a two-run homer as the Cedar Rapids Kernels opened the second half of the Midwest League campaign with a 3-1 victory over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers before 3,966 fans at Fox Cities Stadium Thursday night.

Powell (1-1) went a season-high seven innings, allowing a single run on four hits. He struck out five and walked two.

Caleb Brewer recorded his first save, pitching two scoreless innings while striking out one and allowing two hits. Harrison went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored.

Harrison gave the Kernels a 2-0 lead in the second inning when he hit his 12th homer of the season, a towering shot to left field. Max Kepler, who just joined the Kernels and played left field, drew a two-out walk in front of Harrison and came along for the ride.

It was Harrison's third home run in five games against the Rattlers this season and his second against Wisconsin pitcher Eric Semmelhack.

Harrison sparked a two-out run in the fourth inning when he doubled to right-center. Michael Quesada walked and an RBI single by J.D. Williams scored Harrison, putting the Kernels in front 3-0.

Wisconsin tallied its only run in the fifth inning, cutting the Kernels' lead to 3-1. Mike Garza drew a leadoff walk and later scored on an RBI fielder's choice by Orlando Arcia.

The Timber Rattlers saw two additional scoring chances halted by double plays. Wisconsin stranded a man at third base in the fourth inning when a liner was caught by second baseman Jorge Polanco, who threw to first base to double off a runner.

In the ninth inning, the Rattlers put the first two men on base. However, after a failed sacrifice bunt attempt on the first pitch, Garza bounced into a double play.

Semmelhack (1-3) took the loss for Wisconsin, going six innings and allowing three runs.

The Kernels and Timber Rattlers meet again Friday at 7 p.m., with lefthander Josue Montanez (1-1, 4.66) on the mound for Cedar Rapids.

Byron Buxton played center field for Cedar Rapids Thursday night and went 0-for-4. The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported Thursday that the Minnesota Twins have a target date for promoting Buxton to the Fort Myers Miracle in the Florida State League.

"If everything continues to go the way it has, it won't be long," Twins assistant general manager Rob Antony said.

KERNELS (3): Buxton, cf, 4 0 0 0, Goodrum, ss, 4 0 2 0, Polanco, 2b, 3 0 0 0, Hicks, 1b, 4 0 1 0, Walker, rf, 4 0 0 0, Kepler, lf, 3 1 0 0, Harrison, 3b, 4 2 2 2, Quesada, c, 2 0 0 0, Williams, dh, 3 0 2 1. Totals 31 3 7 3.

WISCONSIN (1): Arcia, ss, 4 0 0 1, Reed, lf, 4 0 1 0, Taylor, cf, 3 0 1 0, Roache, dh, 4 0 2 0, Giacalone, 1b, 3 0 1 0, Williams, pr, 0 0 0 0, Garza, 3b, 3 1 0 0, Rodriguez, 2b, 4 0 0 0, Roberts, c, 2 0 0 0, Walla, rf, 3 0 1 0. Totals 30 1 6 1.

Kernels       020 100 000 - 3 7 0
Wisconsin   000 010 000 - 1 6 0

Powell, Brewer (8) and Quesada. Semmelhack, Wall (7) and Roberts. W - Powell (1-1). L - Semmelhack (1-3). S - Brewer 1. 2B - Harrison (19). HR - Harrison (12). T - 2:17. A - 3,966.