Kernels ready for good 2nd half

They say there's still plenty to prove.

Just because the Cedar Rapids Kernels already have clinched a playoff spot doesn't mean they'll be taking the second half of the Midwest League season off. It's business as usual - try to win every game.

"There's no change," Manager Bill Mosiello said. "You would rather win it the (first half) and know you're in the playoffs. But at the same time, we're here to develop winning players. Maybe I'll have to use some other tricks to try and motivate them a little bit. But it's about your career, your job. You want to continue to become a better player."

The Kernels begin the second half of their 140-game schedule tonight at Burlington. Nothing like an eight-game road trip to get everyone's attention.

Cedar Rapids finished the first half with a 40-30 record, which was second to Kane County in the Western Division. The Kernels tied with Clinton but secured the division's wildcard playoff berth because of a better head-to-head record.

Now everyone starts over again at 0-0.

"We're ready to get back into it," said outfielder Tyson Auer, one of six Kernels selected for Tuesday night's Midwest League All-Star Game in Clinton.

"We're going to go at it just like we did the first half," said pitcher Tyler Chatwood. "We're going to try to win the second half."

This Kernels team mirrors many of its immediate predecessors in that it's strong defensively and in the pitching department, and uses the small-ball approach offensively. Cedar Rapids is last in the MWL in extra-base hits (153) but ranks first in stolen bases (112) and is the middle of league in runs.

It also has to lead the league in most bunts attempted and executed.

"That's what we're all about," said Roberto Lopez, one of the few Kernels who can regularly drive the ball. "That's the way we want to be. Play the game the right way."

Cedar Rapids' team earned run average of 3.45 is second in the MWL. The five-man starting rotation of Chatwood, Manuel Flores, Will Smith, Manuarys Correa and Ryan Chaffee is strong top to bottom.

There's a good bullpen behind the rotation, including all-star closer Mike Kohn. It'll be interesting to see if there will be any second-half promotions, always a key in how a team does in the second half.

"We're going to try and win the second half," Mosiello said. "I'm going to put a challenge out there. If we're as special a group as we think we are, we're going to have a chance to win the second half. That's a tough thing to do, to win that second half after you've gotten into the playoffs in the first half. It's going to be a challenge, and I'm going to keep my foot on the pedal. We're going to keep striving to get there. There won't be any letdowns."

The Kernels' first-half attendance total of 73,308 fans was an increase of about 15,000 from 2008. The average of 2,097 is the third-highest total since the newer Veterans Memorial Stadium opened in 2002.

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