Ready relievers

CEDAR RAPIDS - The Cedar Rapids Kernels are learning that if you hand a lead to All-Star relievers Ty Kelley and Stephen Tromblee, it's game over.

“You can see them getting better each time they go out there and they have an understanding of what's going on,” Kernels Manager Jamie Burke said before his team edged Clinton Saturday night, 4-3, before 3,371 fans at Memorial Stadium. “Those type of guys I like to put in situations where they can save the game or set it up for each other.”

Kelley, 23, got his 10th save by retiring all three batters he faced, lowering his earned run average to a minuscule 1.20 as the Kernels snapped a four-game losing streak.

“It's my first year being a closer; I've never had that role before,” Kelley said. “It's really exciting, always being out there when the game's on the line.”

Kelley's roommate and fellow All-Star, Stephen Tromblee, has proved to be a versatile reliever who can close, set up, and, like last night, pitch out of jams.

When a three-run seventh inning lead was cut to one, Burke summoned Tromblee. After a single loaded the bases, Tromblee induced two pop-ups to end the threat. “I think the coaches have confidence in me,” said Tromblee, a 23-year-old lefty. “And I think that's how I pitch off is when they show me that they have the confidence to put me in a tight situation. I come in and just try to do my job, whether it's coming in the fifth inning or eighth inning, ninth inning, just do what I can to help.”

The efforts of Kelley and Tromblee preserved a bounce-back outing for starter Cam Bedrosian, who earned his first win this season, surrendering just three hits in six innings, striking out four.

Frazier Hall hit his seventh home run in the second and Kevin Mosquit added a solo shot in the fifth. In the seventh,

Kaleb Cowart doubled home a run for his 46th RBI to take over the league lead.

The Kernels were without outfielder Gary Mitchell, who went on

the disabled list with a swollen knee. Zach Borenstein was called up Wednesday from the Arizona Rookie League to fill the roster.

The teams play Sunday at 2 p.m.