Cedar Rapids minor league baseball player and Rome native Joe Melioris continues to pitch effectively out of the bullpen for the Kernels in the Class A Midwest League, while another Roman in the minor leagues, Garrett Baker, was assigned to the Orem Owlz and threw 1 1/3 out of the bullpen on Monday as members of their respective Los Angeles Angels minor league affiliates.

The towering 6-foot-11 right-handed Melioris pitched shutout baseball in three outings out of the bullpen last week and currently sports a 3-2 record on the mound with one save and a 5.14 ERA.

He pitched 3 2/3 innings of relief in three games last week and allowed just three hits and no earned runs with a strikeout and no walks during those appearances.

On the season for the 32-38 overall Kernels, which is a Class A level league, Melioris has pitched in 21 games and has garnered 24 earned runs with 13 walks and 27 strikeouts in 42 innings pitched.

Baker made his Owlz debut on Monday and allowed two hits, non earned runs, with one walk and one strikeout in 1 1/3 innings in relief.

The Owlz play in the Pioneer League, which is a rookie-level league.

Baker pitched for the Owlz last season and finished with a 3-0 record after 31 1/3 innings pitched.