The Closer Report: August 12, 2009

Saves: 4

Save Opportunities: 4

Francisco Rodriguez finally saves a game, but it wasn't pretty
By Todd Farino, www.thecloserreport.com

Click here for The Closer Report podcast - NO AUDIO REPORT FOR 8/12/2009

There wasn't allot of action for closers tonight and maybe that was for the better. It has been a tough week so far for MLB closers. ERAs and WHIPs have been rising all over the league and it continued tonight, at least with KROD.

Francisco Rodriguez recorded his first save in 10 days and only his third save in over a month by beating the Diamondbacks 6-4. He gave up a run on two hits and struck out two in a gutsy performance. Rodriguez looked far better then he has anytime over the past two weeks and in reality the run he gave up shouldn't have scored. Gerald Parra got an infield hit and then with two outs got to second base on "fielder's indifference". Why not just try and throw the runner out? Does it matter if you throw the ball into center field and he gets to third? It shouldn't, you already don't care he is getting to second base, so third base matters? Anyhow, that move cost KROD the run after he gave up a two out single. Overall, it was a good performance for Francisco Rodriguez.

Andrew Bailey continues his torrid pave with his 17th save of the season. He threw a nine pitch perfect inning against the Orioles. Bailey didn't get any strikeouts tonight, but he has 72 strikeouts in 55.2 innings. That is 13 K/9 for you statistical guys. He has had a save slow down in August with only three saves, but he has 12 saves in a row and a strikingly low WHIP 0.97 and a comfortable 2.11 ERA.

Heath Bell continues to make up for a sorrowful July. After only getting three saves in July, Bell scored his 4th save in August and his 29th overall save. He needed only eight pitches to dispose of the Brewers. Bell has looked much better lately, but even better the Padres are hot and hitting the ball extremely well. That translates into allot of saves for Bell. He very well could finish this month with 8-10 saves.

You have to love Ryan Franklin. He pulled off another Ryan Franklin save giving up only a walk, but no strikeouts. He has been doing this all year and continues to get the job done and get it done quickly. It was his 28th save of the season and his fourth save in six days.

Other Appearances:
Trevor Hoffman - Pitched a perfect inning and struck out two.
Brian Wilson - Got the win in extra innings and did it in a big way. Wilson pitched 1.1 inning and struck out four batters. (psst, he faced only four batters for the novices). His wildness was still there. He needed 30 pitches for the outing and only 20 pitches landed for strikes. Don't expect Wilson to pitch tomorrow.
Bobbie Jenks - Pitched two innings in a 14th inning game. Gave up only a hit and a walk.
Joe Nathan - Got some work in today and struck out the side on 16 pitches.