CLINTON - The Cedar Rapids Kernels exploded for seven runs in the sixth inning Sunday and defeated Clinton, 7-5, in a rain-shortened game before 957 fans at Ashford University Field.

The tarp was put on the field with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning and the game was called after a 41-minute rain delay.

The Kernels (42-51) have won five games in a row, including Saturday night's rain-shortened 5-1 victory over the LumberKings.

Clinton scored the first three runs Sunday, but the Kernels scored seven runs in the top half of the sixth as they sent 11 men to the plate to move ahead 7-3.

The Kernels collected five singles and took advantage of one error. It matched the largest run-scoring inning for Cedar Rapids this season.

The first four hitters all reached base. Chad Christensen singled, Mitch Garver walked and Jason Kanzler singled to load the bases with no outs.Alex Swim's RBI single through the left side plated Christensen, making the score 3-1.

With one out, Tanner Vavra's RBI infield single scored Garver to get the Kernels within one run. Ryan Walker drew a bases-loaded walk to score Kanzler and tie the game, 3-3.

Swim scored to give the Kernels a 4-3 lead when Jon Murphy reached on a fielding error by shortstop Luis Caballero. Logan Wade plated both Vavra and Walker with a two-run single, making the score 6-3.

Murphy later scored to put the Kernels up 7-3 when Christensen - batting for the second time in the inning - reached on an RBI fielder's choice.

Kernels starter Lewis Thorpe retired the first eight LumberKings of the game, including three strikeouts in the second inning. However, four straight LumberKings reached with two outs in the third inning as Clinton took a 3-0 lead.

Caballero doubled to deep left, becoming Clinton's first runner on base. He scored on Aaron Barbosa's RBI single. After Jack Reinheimer was hit by a pitch, Chantz Mack's two-run single to center plated a pair and pushed Clinton's lead to three runs.

Thorpe went four innings, allowing three runs on four hits. He struck out five and walked none.

Clinton added a single run in the sixth inning to cut the deficit to 7-4. Mack singled to begin the sixth inning. He later scored on an RBI groundout by Isaiah Yates.

Brandon Bixler (6-4) went two innings for the Kernels for the win, allowing one run on one hit. He struck out one while walking one.

Eddie Campbell (5-7) went 5.1 innings in the loss for Clinton. He allowed four runs on seven hits while striking out four and walking four. Kevin McCoy went two-thirds of an inning, allowing three runs (two earned) on two hits. He struck out none and walked one.

The Kernels and LumberKings conclude their series Monday at 6:30 p.m. Ryan Eades (5-9, 6.54) starts for the Kernels and Carlos Misell (7-8, 4.08) goes for Clinton.

The Kernels return home Wednesday, taking on Lake County at 6:35 p.m.

KERNELS (7): Murphy, lf, 4 1 0 1, Wade, 3b, 4 0 2 2, Christensen, 1b, 4 1 2 1, Garver, c, 3 1 0 0, Kanzler, cf, 4 1 2 0, Swim, rf, 3 1 2 1, Williams, dh, 3 0 0 0, Vavra, 2b, 4 1 1 1, Walker, ss, 0 1 0 1. Totals 29 7 9 7.

CLINTON (5): Barbosa, cf, 4 1 1 1, Reinheimer, 2b, 2 1 0 0, Mack, lf, 3 1 2 2, Seager, dh, 2 0 0 0, Carmichael, c, 3 0 0 0, Yates, rf, 3 0 1 1, Zimmerman, 1b, 3 0 0 0, Peguero, 3b, 3 0 0 0, Caballero, ss, 3 2 2 0. Totals 26 5 6 4.

Kernels    000 007 0 - 7 9 1
Clinton    003 001 1 - 5 6 1

Thorpe, Bixler (5), Boyd (7) and Garver. Campbell, McCoy (6), Valenza (7) and Carmichael. W - Bixler (6-4). L - Campbell (5-7). 2B - Swim (4), Caballero (1). SB - Williams (5), Christensen (21). E - Garver (6), Caballero (2). T - 2:32. A - 957.