The Closer Report: April 7, 2010 10 Saves, 3 Blown Saves
The closers came out today and really blew it big in several appearances. Even with that, several closers had some strong performances and are off to a great start;
SAVES:
Mariano Rivera (2) - Recorded his second save in as many days against the Red Sox.
Chris Perez (1) - Perez recorded his first save of the season without giving up a hit. He did struggle with control, walking one and needing 19 pitches to get the save. You still have to feel good about your young fantasy closer.
Trevor Hoffman (2) - The Amazing Hoffman did it again. Pitched a perfect inning with a strikeout. Much better then his first outing against the Rockies.
Rafael Soriano (1) - Soriano recorded an ugly save, but it was a save. He gave up a run on two hits and has yet to record a strikeout, which is not good for Soriano owners.
Billy Wagner (1) - Top sleeper Billy Wagner looked awesome getting his first save of the season. He struck out the side and stranded a hit.
Ryan Franklin (1) - Got an easy one hit near perfect save. Didn't get any strikeouts and pitched 100% to contact.
Jon Rauch (2) - Let the real Jon Rauch show himself. Last night he was outstanding. Tonight, not so outstanding. While he still
recorded the save, Rauch was hammered for a run on two hits. He also didn't record a strikeout. Rauch needs to hit his spots to be good and tonight he wasn't. In fact, he was lucky to get three ground ball outs and not give up more runs. Matt Guerrier looked very sharp in the 8th inning.
Chad Qualls (1) - Looked much better nailing the save on nine pitches. Gave up a hit and recorded a strikeout.
Jason Frasor (1) - Frasor came back strong today recording his first save and looked just as good as he did on opening day, but today the Rangers weren't lucky. He struck out two with one hit.
Ryan Madison (1) - Pitched 1.1 innings to get the save and looked outstanding. Overall, two hits and two strikeouts.
BLOWN SAVE:
Joakim Soria (BS 1) - Soria was just unlucky tonight. He gave up a game tying home run to Miguel Cabrera. This is another one of those dust off appearances. On a good note, he did strikeout the side.
Leo Nunez (BS 1) - Blew his first save opportunity of the season. It wasn't really fair, but Nunez lacked control all together. He entered the game with the bases loaded and walked Fernando Tatis and Gary Matthews Jr.
Jose Valverde (BS 1, 0-1) - Blew a big 13th inning save for the Tigers and looked absolutely awful. After giving up a home run to Alberto Callaspo, yes Callaspo he then allowed to more hits and loss the game. It didn't take long for the Royals to ruin Valverde's day as he only needed 10 pitched to give up the three hits.
APPEARANCES:
Jonathan Papelbon (0-1) - Entered a 1-1 game and it ended 3-1. He barely threw a pitch before he gave up a solo blast to Curtis Granderson and then he followed up with two straight walks
before being relieved. I have a strong feeling that something is wrong with Papelbon, but it's likely just dusting off. He missed his spots all night and his control was awful, obviously.
Francisco Rodriguez - Pitched one inning in a tie game. Gave up two hits and struck out two. Still no saves for KROD.
Bobby Jenks - Looked terrible in his first appearance of the season. Needed 28 pitches to clear the ninth inning and gave up a run on two walks and a hit. Matt Thornton pitched the inning before him and looked
magnificent needing 11 pitches and striking out one.
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!
SAVES:
Mariano Rivera (2) - Recorded his second save in as many days against the Red Sox.
Chris Perez (1) - Perez recorded his first save of the season without giving up a hit. He did struggle with control, walking one and needing 19 pitches to get the save. You still have to feel good about your young fantasy closer.
Trevor Hoffman (2) - The Amazing Hoffman did it again. Pitched a perfect inning with a strikeout. Much better then his first outing against the Rockies.
Rafael Soriano (1) - Soriano recorded an ugly save, but it was a save. He gave up a run on two hits and has yet to record a strikeout, which is not good for Soriano owners.
Billy Wagner (1) - Top sleeper Billy Wagner looked awesome getting his first save of the season. He struck out the side and stranded a hit.
Ryan Franklin (1) - Got an easy one hit near perfect save. Didn't get any strikeouts and pitched 100% to contact.
Jon Rauch (2) - Let the real Jon Rauch show himself. Last night he was outstanding. Tonight, not so outstanding. While he still
recorded the save, Rauch was hammered for a run on two hits. He also didn't record a strikeout. Rauch needs to hit his spots to be good and tonight he wasn't. In fact, he was lucky to get three ground ball outs and not give up more runs. Matt Guerrier looked very sharp in the 8th inning.
Chad Qualls (1) - Looked much better nailing the save on nine pitches. Gave up a hit and recorded a strikeout.
Jason Frasor (1) - Frasor came back strong today recording his first save and looked just as good as he did on opening day, but today the Rangers weren't lucky. He struck out two with one hit.
Ryan Madison (1) - Pitched 1.1 innings to get the save and looked outstanding. Overall, two hits and two strikeouts.
BLOWN SAVE:
Joakim Soria (BS 1) - Soria was just unlucky tonight. He gave up a game tying home run to Miguel Cabrera. This is another one of those dust off appearances. On a good note, he did strikeout the side.
Leo Nunez (BS 1) - Blew his first save opportunity of the season. It wasn't really fair, but Nunez lacked control all together. He entered the game with the bases loaded and walked Fernando Tatis and Gary Matthews Jr.
Jose Valverde (BS 1, 0-1) - Blew a big 13th inning save for the Tigers and looked absolutely awful. After giving up a home run to Alberto Callaspo, yes Callaspo he then allowed to more hits and loss the game. It didn't take long for the Royals to ruin Valverde's day as he only needed 10 pitched to give up the three hits.
APPEARANCES:
Jonathan Papelbon (0-1) - Entered a 1-1 game and it ended 3-1. He barely threw a pitch before he gave up a solo blast to Curtis Granderson and then he followed up with two straight walks
before being relieved. I have a strong feeling that something is wrong with Papelbon, but it's likely just dusting off. He missed his spots all night and his control was awful, obviously.
Francisco Rodriguez - Pitched one inning in a tie game. Gave up two hits and struck out two. Still no saves for KROD.
Bobby Jenks - Looked terrible in his first appearance of the season. Needed 28 pitches to clear the ninth inning and gave up a run on two walks and a hit. Matt Thornton pitched the inning before him and looked
magnificent needing 11 pitches and striking out one.
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!
