Chris Paul went 4-for-5 and drove in the winning run for the Cedar Rapids Kernels on Sunday. (Photo by Craig Wieczorkiewicz/The Midwest League Traveler)

It took 10 innings, but the Cedar Rapids Kernels beat the Quad Cities River Bandits 3-2 Sunday to improve their record to 4-0 to start the season.

Designated hitter Chris Paul led the way offensively for the Kernels, going 4-for-5 with a run batted in and a run scored. Paul’s RBI single in the 10th inning was the winning hit.

Kernels starting pitcher Sam Clay went six innings, giving up one unearned run on five hits and two walks. He struck out seven batters and threw two wild pitches.

River Bandits starting pitcher Matt Bower gave up one earned run on four hits and a walk while striking out four in 5.1 innings. It was his Midwest League debut, which was of particular interest to me because I watched him pitch a couple times for the Madison Mallards in the Northwoods League last summer, including when he struck out 10, walked none, and gave up only three hits in five innings for his first NWL win. Here is a photo I shot of him in Green Bay, where he picked up his only loss in seven NWL starts:

Matt Bower, seen here playing for the Madison Mallards, now pitches for the Quad Cities River Bandits. (Photo by Craig Wieczorkiewicz/The Midwest League Traveler)

Quad Cities shortstop Osvaldo Duarte went 3-for-5 in Sunday’s game.

The Kernels are one of only two Midwest League teams that are still undefeated. The other team is the Great Lakes Loons, who have played only one game so far because of postponements due to inclement weather.