The Closer Report: April 22, 2010

SAVES:

Andrew Bailey (2) - Bailey ruled the New York Yankees with a 12 pitch save.  He didn't record any strikeouts, but one hit.  His ERA  is still at 0.00 and he's healthy.

Francisco Cordero (6) - Cordero nailed his sixth save of the season.  He gave up a hit and a walk, but no runs. 

Franklin Morales (3) - Morales recorded his first save in 11 days.

Darren Oliver (1) - Looked good, recording two strikeouts.  He got the save because Frank Francisco and Neftali Feliz needed rest.

Francisco Rodriguez (1) - KROD finally recorded his first save of the season.  He pitched 1.2 perfect innings and struck out three batters. This was an excellent appearance for the stud closer.  His ERA and WHIP were lowered 1.17.

Jose Valverde (5) - I Watched an excited Valverde close out the Angels.  He was wild at first, walking Bobby Abreau.  After that he calmed down and got Tori Hunter to bang into a double play and then got Matsui to ground out to first to end the game.  In all it took ten pitches.  Great appearance for Valverde.


Appearances:

Leo Nunez - Struck out the side in a non-save situation.  He is looking outstanding!

The Closer Report: April 21, 2010

SAVES:

Matt Lindstrom (4) - Lindstrom threw a near perfect 12 pitch inning giving up a lone hit.  His WHIP (1.14) and ERA (3.86) are still a bit high, but both are coming down.

Mariano Rivera (6) - Rivera is absolutely unhittable.  He recorded his sixth straight save, but showed a chink in his armor.  He gave up a hit and needed 26 pitches to close out the game.  His season ERA is still 0.00.

Jose Valverde (4) - Valverde made quick work of Angel hitters needing only 10 pitches to get his fourth save.   He got one strikeout and lowered his WHIP to 1.00.

Joakim Soria (4) - SOria got back on track with his fourth save of the season beating the Blue Jays 4-3.  He had a quite 1-2-3 inning and struckout one closing out the game.

Matt Capps (7) - Capps recorded his league leading seventh save of the season and did it in wow fashion.  Capps struckout the side, raising his strikeout total from 5 to 8 in one appearnce.  He did give up a hit and a walk, but an overall very impressive outing for Capps.

BLOWN SAVE:

Brian Fuentes (BS1) - Fuentes made his first appearance since coming off the DL and he entered the game in the eighth inning as expected and blew the lead.  Before his work was done, he gave up two runs on two hits and two walks.  The big blast was a solo homerun to Miguel Cabrera.  He also took the loss 4-3.

APPEARANCES:

Brain Wilson - Pitched a quite inning in a losing cause.  He only threw 10 pitches, so he should be fine for tomorrow.

Jonathan Papelbon - Pitched a strong two innings in a 7-7 game with Texas.  He gave up one hit and struckout one.  There is no chance he will pitch tomorrow.  Since Bard also went two innings, I'm not sure who will get the call to close if the Red Sox lead going into the ninth inning.

Carlos Marmol - Worked one inning in a 9-3 blow out.  Walked one and struck out one. 

Neftali Feliz - Another impressive outing for Feliz.  He pitched two innings for the Rangers in an extra inning game.  He threw 23 pitches and struck out three batters, while giving up no hits or walks.  His WHIP is now at a microscopic 0.75.

Zumaya Is No Threat to Rodney In Detroit

Joel Zumaya has returned to the Detroit Tigers after a healthy stint in AAA Toledo. Many think he will take over as closer for Rodney at some point. Right now he will be used in the 6, 7, and eventually the 8th inning.


Zumaya does have closer stuff, but his control, power, and temperament are better suited as a setup man. Fernando Rodney has had one bad outing giving up 2 runs in a non-save situation, and outside of that has been brilliant in 2009.


As long as Rodney doesn't get into a rough string of blown saves we do not see Zumaya threatening Rodney's job at all this year.