The Closer Report: July 29, 2009
Saves: 6 Save Opportunities: 7
Nathan saves another and Nunez stays hot with save #8
By Todd Farino, www.thecloserreport.com
Leo Nunez has been lightening hot lately and recorded his eight save of the season against the Atlanta Braves tonight. He gave up one hit and walked one in the 6-3 win. Nunez has been pitching like we all expected him too. He is throwing hard and throwing strikes. 11 of his 12 pitches landed for strikes and when that happens, you will have success. It was his fourth save in ten days, and fifth overall for the month.
Joe Nathan is quickly catching up with Brian Fuentes for the league lead in saves. He notched his 29th save of the season tongiht with a 3-2 win. It wasn't easy, he put two runners on with one out, but ended up striking out Chris Getz and got Mark Kotsay to lineout. Nathan wasn't his sharpest today, but he got the job done and buckled down when he needed too. Nathan is regaining is hold as the top closer in the league.
To my dismay, Jonathan Broxton continues his slump with another blown save (3rd of the season). He blew a great performance by Clayton Kershaw, who left the game for Broxton with a 1-0 lead. It wasn't as bad as it looks. He got the first two outs, which was against Pujols and Holliday. He then gave up a soft single to Ludwick, but the big mistake was the wild pitch that allowed Ludwick to get to second base and eventually score on Rasmus's single. I'll keep a watch on Broxton, but just chalk this up as a bad luck outing. Ryan Franklin didn't look any better in 11th. He entered the game and promptly gave up two singles and after a sharp lineout by Russell Martin, gave up the sac fly to Matt Kemp. Joe Torre then made a huge managerial boo-boo. He allowed Ramon Troncoso to hit, so he could stay in the game. He struck out and the next inning gave up the tying run.
David Aardsma got his 25th save of the season and helped to beat Roy Halladay in the same day. It wasn't his best night as he needed 20 pitches to get the save and walked one with two strikeouts.
Other Appearances:
Trevor Hoffman (23) - Very good outing for Hoffman. He struck out two and gave up one hit. It was only his sixth appearance with two or more strikeouts.
Andrew Bailey (13) - Got his second save in a row against the Red Sox and for the second day in a row gave up a run on three hits.
Jim Johnson (2) - Came in for the eighth and after the Orioles added two more runs, he stayed in for the save.
Brian Wilson - Got the win in an extra inning game. Looked great with two strikeouts
Matt Capps - Dropped his sixth game of the season. He entered a 0-0 game in the tenth inning and quickly gave up a run on two hits and a walk. Just terrible.
Mariano Rivera - only pitched .2 innings in a non-save situation, but struck out both batters and gave up one hit.
posted by The True GURU at
Thursday, July 30, 2009
2 Comments:
2 comments...first, how good will that Marlins bullpen be with Nunez, Calero, Meyer, and Lindstrom? By the way, which is the primary set-up man when Matt Lindstrom comes back? My 2nd comment is at around 5:25 of The Closer Report podcast, you said Nathan saved the game for the Vikings. Got football on your mind? :)
CB<
Did I really say Vikings? Man O' Man do I have football on the brain. I'll be honest, I do the closer report podcast last in my evening of responsibilities. After baseball and football, so I'm a bit tired. I did mean the Twins ;)
I think when Lindstrom comes back he will not immediately be a setup man or closer. They will give him so work in non-pressure situations and then eventually make him the primary setup man. Calero and Meyer are very good relievers and both of those guys can be used as setup men and 7th inning guys. It is very much like the Red Sox bullpen, where they have several relievers that could be setup men and at some point they all serve. As long as Nunez stays hot, he will remain the closer. Thanks for the question
TTG
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