Kernels' Bedrosian discovers road back from Tommy John sometimes has potholes

CEDAR RAPIDS - Cam Bedrosian was so good in his first start for the Cedar Rapids Kernels. Maybe too good.

The reality is pitchers who return from Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery almost always have initial ups and downs.

“It's going to take some time with this whole elbow thing and coming back into it,” Bedrosian said Tuesday night after his team's 3-1 loss to Quad Cities before 1,111 fans at Veterans Memorial Stadium. “I had a good first game, and for some reason, after that, I haven't been pitching very well. I honestly don't know why.”

Bedrosian, 20, was a first-round draft pick of the Angels in 2010 who missed all of last season and stayed in extended spring training this season until late April. His return was awesome: 4 1/3 hitless innings until reaching a pitch limit of 50.

Things have gone less than awesome since, with the right-hander - son of former Cy Young Award winner Steve Bedrosian - losing five consecutive starts and seeing his earned run average balloon to 6.41. He wasn't able to get out of the first inning last week at Beloit and threw 70 pitches in 2 2/3 innings last night.

That included three walks and three wild pitches. Control has been his biggest issue, as often happens with Tommy John guys.

Considering his pitch limit is expected to remain at 80 the rest of the season, Bedrosian will have to improve his control, however, to get into later innings. Or even middle innings.

“He's getting too deep into counts,” said Kernels Manager Jamie Burke. “He needs to start getting ahead of hitters more. (Then) he gets ahead of a hitter, and the next thing you know, it's a 3-2 count. You got to 0-2 or 1-2 for a reason. He's coming off of that surgery, and he's still trying to get that feel, I think. He's still uneasy out there. You can kind of tell a little bit.”

“It is frustrating,” Bedrosian said. “But I keep talking to everyone. Some guys (here) have gone through it, man. You're going to have hard times sometimes, so I might as well get it out of the way now. Hopefully once I get going, I can keep it going.”

Burke is confident that will happen eventually. At times, Bedrosian flashes the fastball velocity and sharp breaking stuff that got him drafted so high.

"I think he's outstanding now," Burke said. "It's just a matter of him getting comfortable out there."

The Kernels (23-29) outhit Quad Cities, 9-4, but left 10 on base, going 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position. Ryan Jones ended the game by lining to shortstop with the bases loaded.

Cedar Rapids lost four of the five games in the series. Wisconsin comes to town for three games, beginning tonight at 6:35.

Here is the game boxscore:

Scoreboard _ Midwest League Scoreboard