GENEVA, Ill. - The Cedar Rapids Kernels got a spotless performance from their relief pitchers Friday night and trimmed Kane County, 6-4, in a Midwest League game before 1,885 fans at the Fifth Third Bank Ballpark in Geneva, Ill.

The victory gave Cedar Rapids a 2-0 record to start the season.

Cedar Rapids starter John Curtiss surrendered a three-run home run in the first inning, but he settled down and left with a 6-4 lead after 5 2/3 innings.

Michael Theofanopoulos relieved Curtiss and tossed 2 1/3 innings of shutout ball, then C.K. Irby struck out the side in the ninth inning for the save.

The three Kernels pitchers combined for 12 strikeouts.

Nick Gordon went 3-for-5 with two RBIs for the Kernels. J.J. Fernandez also went 3-for-5. Zack Larson drove in two runs.

Cedar Rapids and Kane County will finish their three-game series Saturday at 1 p.m.

The Kernels host Beloit in their home opener Sunday at 4:05 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

KERNELS (6): Granite, lf, 1 0 0 0, Gordon, ss, 5 1 3 2, Larson, rf, 4 1 1 2, Vavra, 1b, 5 0 1 0, Fernandez, dh, 5 1 3 1, White, 3b, 4 0 1 0, Hinojosa, 2b, 4 1 0 0, Navarreto, c, 4 1 1 0, English, cf, 4 1 0 0. Totals: 36 6 10 5.

KANE COUNTY (4): Bray, cf, 4 1 2 0, Taylor, rf, 5 0 2 0, Heyman, lf, 5 0 1 0, McQuail, dh, 4 1 3 0, Trahan, c, 4 1 1 3, Munoz, 3b, 4 0 0 0, Herum, 1b, 4 1 1 0, Ozuna, 2b, 4 0 1 0, Alcantara, ss, 4 0 0 0. Totals: 38 4 11 3.

Kernels           221 001 000 - 6 10 2
Kane County   300 100 000 - 4 11 1

Curtiss, Theofanopoulos (6), Irby (9) and Navarreto. Miller, Baker (4), Curtis (8), McCullough (9) and Trahan. W - Curtis (1-0). L - Miller (0-1). H - Theofanopoulos (1). S - Irby (1). 2B - Larson (1), Fernandez (1), White (1), Heyman (1), Ozuna (2). HR - Trahan (1). E - White (1), Gordon (1), Munoz (2). T - 2:44. A - 1,885.