The Closer Report: July 11, 2009

Saves: 7

Save Opportunities: 7

Scott Downs gets back to saving, Fuentes extends his save lead

By Todd Farino, www.thecloserreport.com

Brian Fuentes got another what I call cheap save tonight. He entered the game with runners on and a four run lead and got his 25th save of the season. He got all of one out for the save.

Scott Downs got back on the road to closing with his ninth save of the season. He looked sharp tonight, needing only 15 pitches to get the save and two strikeouts. This is great news for desperate Downs owners who need to start seeing results.

Joe Nathan got his 23th save of the season shutting down the White Sox with a perfect inning. Nathan has the lowest WHIP of all closers with 0.73 and he has a scoreless streak that goes back to May 21.

Jonathan Papelbon looked outstanding tonight beating the Royals 1-0 and notching his 23rd save of the season. He threw 11 pitches and pitched a perfect inning for the save. He through nearly all fastballs and was dead-on. He almost had two strikeouts, but Varitek just dropped a foul tip. Take that Sabermetric guys!

Other Appearances:

Brad Lidge (18) - Got a big save and his fifth in a row. Lucky he had a two run lead cause he gave up a bomb to Brandon Moss.

Frank Francisco (15) - Didn't look his best tonight. Needed 20 pitches and gave up a walk. He did pitch otherwise perfect and got some bad swing strikeouts.
Jonathan Broxton - Got hammered for two runs in a extra inning non-save situation.
Rafael Soriano (11) - He is on a tear in July with five saves already. Got another easy one tonight with two strikeouts.