The Closer Report: April 5, 2010 - 4 Saves, 1 Win, 12 Appearances
By Todd Farino, http://www.thecloserreport.com/
Baseball is here and the closers are coming out to play. Here is the report from April 5, 2010.
Note: since there are days off early in the season we are seeing lots of closers just getting work in, but not coming in for a save opprotunity.
SAVES:
Franklin Morales (1)- Pitching for the injured Huston Street, Morales looked good, but still got roughed up my the Brewers. He opened up the ninth a bit nervous and hit Rickie Weeks. He then gave up a double to Carlos Gomez, but settled done after that getting the next three batters out on hard line drives. Morales looked good, but he was hit hard. Let's hope he can improve on that and rack up the strikeouts.
Brian Wilson (1) - Wilson entered the game with one out in the ninth after Brandon Medders gave up a couple of runs. Wilson looked very sharp getting out both batters he faced, striking out Manzella. In all, he needed seven pitches to end the game.
David Aardsma (1) - Aardsma got a save thanks to the Kevin Kouzmanoff. Aardsma shaked off a shakey spring to mow down three batters, striking out two. His command owas a little off, but his fastball was shapr and looked much better than it did just a week ago.
Brian Fuentes (1) - Fuentes started off strong with a 1-2-3 perfect inning save. He struck out one on 10 pitches. He was setup nicely by Fernando Rodney and her looked in mid-season form already.
Jason Frasor (1, 0-1) - Frasor blew his first save of the season and looked awful against a tough Texas lineup. Frasor was hit hard, giving up 2 doubles and a game winning long single to Saltalamacchia. The line isn't pretty, .1 IP, 2ER, 4H, 1 IBB, 1K. Frasor's pitches looked week. His velocity wasn't there and his breaking ball was flat. He should be fine and get better with time.
Jose Valverde - Valverde came into the ninth inning with a 4-run lead and he was pumped up as only Valverde can be. He wasn't his sharpest as he needed 24 pitches to close out the game. He did have to work around a walk and a error, but in the end a strong inning. He recorded one strikeout.
Listen to Todd "The True Guru" Farino breakdown all the closer activity three times a week on Blog Talk Radio. Every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday at 11pm PST. www.blogtalkradio.com/the-closer-report or download the podcast on ITunes!
Baseball is here and the closers are coming out to play. Here is the report from April 5, 2010.
Note: since there are days off early in the season we are seeing lots of closers just getting work in, but not coming in for a save opprotunity.
SAVES:
Franklin Morales (1)- Pitching for the injured Huston Street, Morales looked good, but still got roughed up my the Brewers. He opened up the ninth a bit nervous and hit Rickie Weeks. He then gave up a double to Carlos Gomez, but settled done after that getting the next three batters out on hard line drives. Morales looked good, but he was hit hard. Let's hope he can improve on that and rack up the strikeouts. Brian Wilson (1) - Wilson entered the game with one out in the ninth after Brandon Medders gave up a couple of runs. Wilson looked very sharp getting out both batters he faced, striking out Manzella. In all, he needed seven pitches to end the game.
David Aardsma (1) - Aardsma got a save thanks to the Kevin Kouzmanoff. Aardsma shaked off a shakey spring to mow down three batters, striking out two. His command owas a little off, but his fastball was shapr and looked much better than it did just a week ago.
Brian Fuentes (1) - Fuentes started off strong with a 1-2-3 perfect inning save. He struck out one on 10 pitches. He was setup nicely by Fernando Rodney and her looked in mid-season form already.
BLOWN SAVES:
Jason Frasor (1, 0-1) - Frasor blew his first save of the season and looked awful against a tough Texas lineup. Frasor was hit hard, giving up 2 doubles and a game winning long single to Saltalamacchia. The line isn't pretty, .1 IP, 2ER, 4H, 1 IBB, 1K. Frasor's pitches looked week. His velocity wasn't there and his breaking ball was flat. He should be fine and get better with time.CLOSER WINS
Frank Francisco (1-0) - Francisco pitched a near perfect ninth and ended up with the win for Texas. On 17 pitches he struck out two and gave up one hit.
APPEARANCES
Ryan Franklin - Here is the Ryan Franklin I know. Granted it's his first appearance of the season and the score was 11-4 when he came in, he still didn't pitch well. His pitches were flat and very hittable. He got lucky bad swings form Gnomes and Cabrera for outs, but gave up three hits to
Dickerson, Votto, and Phillips. The end result was 2 runs and no strikeouts in a wasted appearance for the Cardinals closer.
Andrew Bailey - Bailey looked healthy, but he wasn't his sharpest. He got screwed on an error by Kevin Kouzmanoff and them gave up a 2-1 base hit to Casey Kotchman that scored two unearned runs. Regardless of the outcome, Bailey owners can let out a sigh of relief that their closer is alright. Brad Ziegler took the loss.
Dickerson, Votto, and Phillips. The end result was 2 runs and no strikeouts in a wasted appearance for the Cardinals closer.
Francisco Rodriguez - Pitched a perfect and quiet ninth inning for the Mets. He showed excellent command, only needing 14 pitches to take out the Marlins.
Octavio Dotel - Faced three batters, striking out one. He only needed 10 pitches to end the game and looked outstanding.
Billy Wagner - Wagner made his first appearance as a Brave and looked like the Wagner of old. He struck out two on 11 pitches. He faced the minimum three batters.
SIDE NOTES:
Matt Thornton - Thornton looked great for the White Sox pitching a perfect ninth. He struck out two and needed 10 pitches, throwing all strikes. He's my odds on favorite to get the job if Jenks fails to hold onto it.Listen to Todd "The True Guru" Farino breakdown all the closer activity three times a week on Blog Talk Radio. Every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday at 11pm PST. www.blogtalkradio.com/the-closer-report or download the podcast on ITunes!
Labels: andrew bailey, Billy Wagner, Brian Wilson, Davis Aardsma, Francisco Rodriguez, Frank Francisco, Franklin Morales, Jason Frasor, Jose Valverde, Matt thornton, Octavio Dotel, Ryan Franklin
