LOS ANGELES -- San Diego manager Bud Black was talking the other day about how relief pitchers Wil Ledezma and Glendon Rusch, the Padres' two designated long relievers out of the bullpen, hadn't seen much game action early in the season.

"You look at the role that we've identified, him [Rusch] and Wil are our middle to long guys," Black said. "Guys we like to go multiple innings in games where we need multiple innings. We just haven't had that need for a multiple-inning guy. We have played close games. ... The starters have taken the game into the later innings."

That all changed Saturday, though, as the Padres needed long relief help as starter Chris Young couldn't make it out of the fourth inning in what would become an 11-1 victory by the Dodgers.

Up until Saturday, Ledezma had thrown one inning this season, with Rusch having thrown a grand total of 1 2/3 innings through the first 11 games.

Ledezma threw three innings in relief of Young, allowing two earned runs on three hits with three walks. Rusch followed with one inning of relief, allowing one run.

That the Padres have gotten so many strong starts and played so many close games -- 10 of their 11 games were decided by four runs or less -- have meant Rusch and Ledezma have seen mostly pine than the mound thus far.

"You want everyone to get involved and to pitch. These guys will pitch," Black said. "It's a long season. I hope it continues. That means we're pitching well. Whether it's a rainout or an injury, you know these guys are going to pitch."

The loss by Young marked the first loss this season of any Padres starter. The success of the starters hasn't been lost on Rusch, whose innings are directly tied to how the starters pitch each night.

"The whole staff has been excellent," Rusch said.

While Ledezma and Rusch haven't gotten much use in games, they've still been able to get their work in, just in case they're called upon.

"I'm trying to get a little bullpen [session] in every other day, and there were a couple of times I got up [and threw] -- so that's kind of like getting work in," Rusch said. "That's just the nature of the role. I knew that coming into it. I'm very comfortable with that role."

Rusch said throughout his career that he hasn't typically needed many innings to keep his command.

"For me, I can handle on getting work in on the side without being too rusty," Rusch said. "I've been fortunate enough to have command when I come in."