The Closer Report: July 30, 2009

Saves: 4

Save Opportunities: 4

Street continues to blaze, while Papelbon and Broxton come back strong
By Todd Farino, www.thecloserreport.com

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Jonathan Broxton got revenge on St. Louis after blowing a big save last night. The Dodgers scored two runs in the top of the tenth inning and the big boy came in to close it out and close it out he did. He needed 14 pitches and sent the Cardinals down 1-2-3 after a lead-off walk. Broxton wasn't looking for strikeouts. He wanted quick outs and to go home. In the end he got Albert Pujols to ground out to Broxton himself to end the game. Ryan Franklin pitched a quiet ninth inning and left in the tenth. Overall, 1.1 perfect innings and no strikeouts.

Huston Street continues to leave the national league hitters dazed and confused with his 26th save of the season. In defeating the Mets in game two of a doubleheader, Street struck out two and gave up a hit in another fantastic performance. It's his seventh save of the month and 18th straight save going back to June 2.

Jonathan Papelbon looked good a day removed from one of the worst blown saves of his career. He still wasn't the spot on 96 MPH Papelbon we are use to, but he kept the A's hitters off balance only giving up one hit. He threw 17 pitches, 10 of which were strikes. When Paps is on, he throws a much higher percentage of strikes. It was his 26th save of the season. At this point Papelbon would be lucky to get to 40 saves.

Rafael Soriano finally got a save! Though his last save was on July 22, after getting spoiled early this month, seven days is a long wait. Soriano got his eight save of the month by striking out the side and giving up one hit. It is the seventh time this season Soriano has struck out the side this season. Quite an impressive stat, take that Sabermetric guys. It was Soriano's 15th save of the season.

Other Appearances:
Matt Thornton - Got the win against the Yankees. He's not the closer in Chicago, but it is worth noting on this slow day. We haven't seen Jenks in awhile, but he has to be on a short lease with Guillen ad with the way Thornton is pitching.