Uptick at the gate for Kernels

CEDAR RAPIDS – Cedar Rapids closed the home portion of its regular-season schedule Friday night at Veterans Memorial Stadium, and moved past 180,000 in attendance during its first season as a Minnesota Twins affiliate.

“It's obviously been a fantastic year for us,” Kernels General Manager Doug Nelson said during his club's 8-2 win last night over Kane County. “Everything's come together, we've had a winning team on the field, (and) we've had great weather when it counts.”

Last night's crowd of 3,286 brought the season attendance just short of 181,000 fans, up nearly 14 percent from last season. Nelson estimates approximately 10,000 tickets were sold to Minnesota ZIP codes.

“What's neat about that is our Minnesota fans are staying over the weekend,” Nelson said. “Which means they are staying over in hotels, dining in our restaurants, and enjoying our community.”

One of the homegrown converts is 40-year Cedar Rapids resident Steve Stoa, a Twins fan for a half-century. Stoa's attendance jumped from one or two games a season in prior years to 50 or 60 this season.

“That's why you come out here, to look at the future Twins,” said Stoa, 60. “You want to see guys that are going to make it to the majors. Got to see Byron Buxton (who was named Midwest League MVP earlier in the day).”

Cedar Rapids (86-49, 46-21 second half) sent Stoa and the rest of the home fans happy yet again behind a trio of stars working their way back from injury.

Infielders Niko Goodrum and Jorge Polanco, both recovering from groin strains, hit back-to-back first inning home runs to erase an early 2-0 deficit, while Max Kepler (cut finger) began a six-run fourth inning with his ninth home run this season.

“I really didn't lose it at all, I was hitting it well before I got hurt,” said Goodrum, who was a triple shy of hitting for the cycle after missing eight games.

After yielding two runs in the first inning, lefty Josue Montanez (7-5) held the Cougars scoreless over the next six, striking out five without a walk.

The Kernels close the regular season with three games at Clinton beginning Saturday night before returning home Sept. 5 to host the second game of the playoffs.