Kernels look forward to another good half

It was one of those Bill Mosiello moments.

The Cedar Rapids Kernels had just lost their third straight game, thanks to a last-inning defensive meltdown. Despite winning the Midwest League's Western Division, they were wheezing to the first-half finish line.

Their manager, who could quickly point out all the negative plays in a 45-game win streak, was not happy. He stormed out of his office, walked toward the players portion of the clubhouse and fired some garbage into a nearby container.

“That's just me being me,” explained Mosiello. “I don't care if we clinched it 70 games ago. Sometimes my own ego gets in the way, but I expect them to play good baseball no matter what the circumstances.”

Through most of the first half, good baseball is what the Kernels played. They finished with a 43-25 record, winning a first-half division title for the first time since 1992.

Now the task is to continue playing good ball despite not having anything tangible to play for from a team aspect. The second half of the MWL season begins tonight at Peoria.

“The first half was no fluke,” said Kernels outfielder Matt Long. “We're a good team.”

“The biggest positive when we return is that we've got so much to work on still,” said Mosiello. “It's not like ‘Aw, we're so good' …”

Despite a slow start offensively, the Kernels finished the first half second in the league in batting average (. 265) and first in runs. They are second in stolen bases (a trademark over the years as an Angels affiliate), but had a much better success rate than leader Bowling Green.

Where they really excelled was hitting with runners in scoring position, over a .280 clip. In essence, guys got on, they stole a base and scored on a clutch hit.

“We've scored the most runs because all around we're a good hitting team,” Mosiello said. “We run the bases really well. Our basestealing, we're second in the league but we've been thrown out 20 less times. We run with a purpose. When we're going good, we're swinging it, we're going first to third, we're scoring guys (from second).

“To me, it's as explosive an offensive team as you'll see without big home run power. You look and go ‘Aw, (six) home runs leads the team.' But we'll score a couple of runs just running the bases.”

The pitching also was good in the first half, with a 3.63 earned run average ranking fourth. That's despite two starters (Orangel Arenas and Patrick Corbin) being promoted halfway through.

Speaking of promotions, it'll be interesting to see how many Kernels get moved to high-A Rancho Cucamonga in the second half. Outfielder Mike Trout, without question the Midwest League's first-half MVP, is at the top of that possible list.

But this should still be a strong ballclub in the second half. They'd better be if they want to keep their manager sane.

“These guys have earned to be what they are,” Mosiello said. “It'd be different if we finished four games over .500 and barely snuck into the playoffs. This is a good team.”