The Closer Report: June 15-16, 2009

Saves: 2

Save Opportunities: 4

Madson and Bailey blow saves, while only 2 get recorded.

By Todd Farino, www.thecloserreport.com

Monday was a slow day with two games, so I skipped the report. Good thing I did because there were only two saves as well, but plenty of closers pitched. On Monday, both games on the docket were saved.

Trevor Hoffman came back after his first blown save to get his 16th save of the season. He worried his owners with a lead-off single to Travis Hafner, but closed out the rest of the inning. Brian Fuentes came in and got a quick 1/3 of an inning save after a wild game where the Angels won 9-7.

Tuesday had its own share of action. Mariano Rivera closed out a 5-3 win for the Yankees. He looked sharp gunning down the Nats batters 1-2-3.

Ryan Madson made his fourth appearance as a closer and blew his first save. He gave up the game tying run by walking Lyle Overbay with the bases loaded. The stat line for Madson was not good. two hits, two walks, and a run. He did strikeout two batters for something positive, but his overall command was terrible tonight.

Andrew Bailey pitched well, but suffered a tough blown save to the Dodgers. After giving up a lead-off single to Orlando Hudson, Orlando Cabrera's fielding miscues put the tying run to second base. He then got a double play, but gave up the big hit to Matt Kemp. It wasn't a bad performance with no earned runs, but it was a blown save. Broxton pitched a quiet inning with not much action in the game. He only needed 10 pitches, so he should be available for tomorrow. However, I think Joe Torre will do everything he can to give Broxton some rest. The A's lost 5-4 with former closer Ziegler taking the loss.

Other Appearances:
Francisco Rodriguez (17) - Another save for KROD, but he did walk two before striking out two and getting the save.
Mike MacDougal - made an appearance against the Yankees. Gave up 2 walks, a hit, and a run in another poor performance by a Washington closer. Where is a witch doctor for this curse?!?!?!