The Closer Report: June 26, 2009

Saves: 5

Save Opportunities: 5

Lidge makes first appearance since DL, Nathan adds to an amazing month

By Todd Farino, www.thecloserreport.com

Another terribly slow day for closers. Only five saves were recorded by the end of the day, and there were a few ugly non-save appearances to add.

Jonathan Papelbon came into a non-save situation and gave up a bomb to stud powerhouse David Ross. Brain McCann followed with a deep double and eventually Papelbon ended the game. Two hits, one run, and no save.

Brad Lidge made his first appearance since coming off the DL and looked no different then before he went on the DL. He was all over the place tonight and after 24 painful pitches he gave up two runs, while walking two. Clearly he is not ready to close, so hold on to Ryan Madson if you have him.

Joe Nathan pulled out his 18th save of the season in a 3-1 win over the Cardinals. Nathan has had one of the best months I've ever seen for a closer not named KROD. He has nine saves so far and has yet to give up a run in 10.1 innings. He has also struck out 15, while only walking one. Right now I don't think there is another closer pitching better then Nathan. Ryan Franklin got some work in and pitched a perfect inning.

Matt Capps amazes me. He got his 17th save tonight and gave up a bomb to Mark Teahan. He is pitching like the type of closer I'd avoid. He has given up runs in 28% of his appearances and has a bloated 4.91 ERA. Capps has only 19 strikeouts in 25.2 innings and his control has been terible with ten walks. Not the numbers you want to see. Yet, he has 17 saves and you can't complain about that. Capps clearly isn't the closer I thought he would be and I'd recommend trading him ASAP.

Speaking of closers to avoid, Kevin Gregg got his 12th save of the season tonight. He needed 22 pitches to put down the White Sox and gave it the normal Gregg drama that we expect. He did save a game that Carlos Marmol nearly blew. Marmol gave up two runs on a staggering three walks and two hits. One walk was intentional, and he needed a double play to avoid more damage.

Other Appearances:
Huston Street (18) - Once left for dead, Street has 11 saves in the month of June. Nobody has more.
Andrew Bailey - Pitched in a losing game. Got two strikeouts in a perfect inning.

LaTroy Hawkins (10) - Hawkins clearly has closer stuff this season, but sits behind the now healthy Jose Valverde. He got the save tonight for th resting Valverde.

George Sherrill - Got one inning of work in a blowout.

Mike Gonzalez - Looked very impressive against the Red Sox. Struck out the side getting some non-save work.