BELOIT, Wis. --  The Cedar Rapids Kernels used a five-run fourth inning to beat the Beloit Snappers, 7-4, in a Midwest League game before 1,163 fans at Pohlman Field on Wednesday night.

Cedar Rapids had lost its last six games to the Snappers.

The victory lifted the Kernels into first place in the Western Division, a half-game ahead of the Quad Cities River Bandits.

Niko Goodrum led the Kernels with a three-run homer and four RBIs. He nailed his home run to right field in the fourth inning to cap a five-run outburst in the frame.

The Kernels took a 2-0 lead in the third inning with four hits. All the hits were singles, including three infield singles. Jeremias Pineda sparked the rally by laying down a bunt single and reaching second base on a throwing error by pitcher Deyvi Jimenez.

Jonathan Murphy put runners at the corners with an infield single to deep short. Goodrum's single to center field plated Pineda, putting the Kernels on the board. Murphy went to third on the play and extended the lead to 2-0 on Jorge Polanco's infield single to the hole between first and second.

The Kernels collected five straight hits in the fourth inning and all five runners scored to make it 7-0. Joel Licon and Michael Quesada hit back-to-back doubles, both to left field. Quesada's double brought home Licon.

Pineda followed with a single, and Murphy's single-plated Quesada. Goodrum's three-run blast to right field cleared the bases and put the Kernels up by seven runs.

Beloit tallied all four of its runs in the sixth inning, drawing within 7-4.

David Hurlbut (3-1) recorded the win with five innings of relief for the Kernels. He allowed four runs (one earned) on five hits while striking out seven and walking none.

Brett Lee made his return from the disabled list. He started the game and was solid in three innings, allowing no runs on two hits. He had one strikeout and did not walk a batter.

Madison Boer sent the Snappers down in order in the ninth inning with two strikeouts for his third save. Murphy and Pineda both recorded three hits and two runs scored.

Cedar Rapids and Beloit meet again Thursday night at 7, with Tim Atherton (5-4) pitching for the Kernels.

KERNELS (7): Murphy, cf, 5 2 3 1, Goodrum, ss, 4 1 2 4, Polanco, 2b, 4 0 1 1, Walker, rf, 5 0 1 0, Kepler, 1b, 4 0 1 0, Harrison, dh, 4 0 1 0, Licon, 3b, 4 1 1 0, Quesada, c, 4 1 1 1, Pineda, lf, 4 2 3 0. Totals 38 7 14 7.

BELOIT (4): Shipman, lf, 3 1 0 0, Robertson, ss, 4 1 2 0, Bostick, 2b, 4 1 2 1, Nunez, 3b, 4 1 1 0, Wooten, rf, 4 0 0 1, Olson, 1b, 4 0 0 1, Mathews, dh, 4 0 2 1, Rickles, c, 4 0 0 0, Alexander, cf, 4 0 0 0. Totals 35 4 7 4.

Kernels   002 500 000 - 7 14 1

Beloit    000 004 000 - 4 7 1

Lee, Hurlbut (4), Boer (9) and Quesada. Jimenez, House (8) and Rickles. W - Hurlbut (3-1). L - Jimenez (2-3). S - Boer (3). 2B - Licon (9), Quesada (9). HR - Goodrum (3). SB - Goodrum (15), Polanco (3). E - Kepler (7), Jimenez (1). T - 2:12. A - 1,163.