Cuban defector sharp against Kernels

By Douglas Miles

The Gazette

CEDAR RAPIDS - From the shores of Cuba to the throes of the Midwest League playoff chase. For Clinton pitcher Roenis Elias, what a difference a year makes.

“He's been getting better each start,” Clinton pitching coach Rich Dorman said. “You know, growing pains like any young pitcher, so (you) just hope he has his good stuff each time he takes the mound.”

Elias (3-1) showed his good stuff Thursday night, utilizing a variety of arm angles while surrendering just two runs and striking out seven over six innings in Clinton's 5-2 victory over Cedar Rapids before 2,457 fans at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

The lanky 23-year-old defected last October from Cuba, where he pitched for the national team in his native Guantanamo, the easternmost Cuban province. After a brief stint in the Mexican League, Elias signed with the Seattle Mariners in May. He was promoted to Clinton after just four starts, one in the Arizona League and three at rookie-level Pulaski (Va.).

Elias' night overshadowed the second straight solid effort from Kernels starter Justin La Tempa (3-9), who was relegated to the role of hard-luck loser when a high fly that should have ended the sixth inning got lost in the twilight by left fielder Justin Bass. That allowed a run to score, and instead of escaping the sixth down just a run, La Tempa was down 3-1. One batter (and error) later, his night was over.

“You can avoid things by throwing the ball down in the zone, not throwing wild pitches, stuff like that,” Kernels Manager Brent Del Chiaro said. “The leadoff walks, you can avoid those runs scoring if guys aren't on base and you can eliminate some of those earlier mistakes.”

The Kernels (58-72, 25-34 second half) trail Clinton by nine games for a second-half Midwest League playoff berth with 11 to play.

The teams end their series Friday at 6:35.