The Closer Report: August 7, 2009

Saves: 5

Save Opportunities: 8

Saves are still hard to come by, but closers are pennant race pitching
By Todd Farino, www.thecloserreport.com

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There was only a handful of saves today, but plenty of action on the baseball diamond for closers.

In the American League East showdown in New York the ace closers did their thing, which is stop the other team from scoring. Mariano Rivera pitched a sweet ninth inning with two strike outs and a hit. Papelbon matched him with 1.1 innings perfect innings and two strikeouts. Both closers should be available to pitch tomorrow and will likely be needed after depleting the bullpens.


Jose Valverde stayed hot gaining his 14th save of the season. He had a easy 14-pitch inning against the Brewers. Not much action for Valverde, but his control was spot on. He recorded one strikeout and a hit. Awhile back I wrote that Valverde could achieve 30 saves and at August 7th stands at 14. I still think that 30 is achievable, but either way he is a closer you should get your hands on. He is hot and his arm is relatively fresh.


Ryan Frankin scored his 25th save defeating the hapless Pirates 6-4. Argh mate! Franklin pitched his specialty, which is a perfect inning. For extra kicks, he threw in a strikeout. Franklin is still a closer I think should be sold. The fact that the Cardinals were desperately trying to trade for other closers should tell you something. Still, you can't argue with his results and this catchy non-Sabermetric stat. He has pitched perfect (meaning no hits or walks) in 24/42 appearances this season. In comparison, Mariano Rivera has 18 and Jonathan Papelbon 14.

The Washington Nationals won their sixth game in a row and Mike MacDougal is been on the saving end of most of them. Tonight, he saved his eleventh game of the season, but more remarkable his fifth save in August. He pitched 1.2 innings tonight and gave up two hits and walk, but no runs. MacDougal might have a solid ERA at 2.54, but his 1.52 WHIP is a major concern for his owners and his consistency. Right now he is pitching well enough and I think that is all we can ask out of Big Mac.

Leo Nunez nailed down his tenth save of the season over the Phillies 3-2 . He needed only five pitches to finish off the Phillies with a perfect inning of work. It was an incredible performance for Nunez, who many have suspected may lose his job to Lindstrom. Not me, I think its his job to lose and after another great performance like this the job is that more secure.

Brain Wilson had a terrible evening. First, he came in the eighth for a big save and gave up an RBI single to Lance Nix to blow the save. After escaping the eighth, he came back in for the ninth and all hell broke loose. After giving up a bunt single and a sacrifice, he then walked the next three batters. After Wilson was relieved, the Giants defense made two horrible errors allowing all three of his walks to score. His final numbers; one ER, two hits, and three walks. Terrible night for the stud closer.

Francisco Rodriguez looked even worse. He didn't record a single out when he entered the 2-1 game for the save and gave up five runs on two hits and three uncontrollable walks. This is consecutive horrible outings for KROD. Something is mentally wrong with him and we've seen it before back in California. Cleary he is not the same man as earlier in the season. This could continue for awhile, but thankfully he can't lose his job. The Mets have no one else!

Other Appearances:
Jim Johnson (3) - The new Orioles closer got his third save of the season pitching a solid inning with no strikeouts. Expect a lack of strikeouts from Johnson and an excess of runs.
Jonathan Broxton - His slump continues with his fourth blown save of the season. He gave up a run on a hit and a walk.
J.P. Howell - Took the loss giving up a 2-run home run to Russ Langerhans in the 11th inning.
Fernando Rodney - Why he keeps getting brought in for non-save situations I'll never know. He is terrible when a save isn't on the line Tonight he gave up two runs on three hits and a walk. He did strikeout two if that makes Rodney owners feel better.
Francisco Cordero - Loaded the bases ina non-save situation, but got out of it unscathed.
Rafael Soriano - pitched a perfect inning in the extra inning affair with the Dodgers.
David Aardsma - Pitched great in a non-save situation. Struck out the side and walked one.
Heath Bell - Got the win after KROD gave up five runs in the ninth inning.