The Closer Report: June 18, 2010
The Closer Report by Todd Farino, thecloserreport.com
SAVES: Manny Corpas (9), Fernando Rodney (6), Bobby Jenks (14), Kevin Gregg (17), Francisco Rodriguez (16), Jose Valverde (15), Leo Nunez, Billy Wagner (13), Ryan Franklin (13), Kerry Wood (5), Daniel Bard (3).
There was a ton of saves tonight, unlike the five bare bone saves last night. There were even some strange ones to cover and some other notable appearances. Starting in New York, where Francisco Rodriguez stared down the Yankees and they gave them their best, but with the bases loaded and one out KROD struck out Jeter and then got a game ending pop out. Granted he put a couple of runners on, Rodriguez still got out of the Yankee grape jelly or jam as you might call it. It was Francisco Rodriguez's 16th save of the season and that was after a slow start
The lead saver of the day, 3G (Kevin Gregg), added his 17th save of the day with a 3-2 over the Giants. Gregg needed only five pitches to dispose of the Giants in order. Almost as good were the NL performances of Leo Nunez and Ryan Franklin. Nunez needed 12 pitches for a 1-2-3 close out of the Rays tonight and was spot on with ten of them strikes. Franklin was even better, recording a strikeout on 11 pitches in a 6-4 save over the Athletics.
With Huston Street on his way back, Manny Corpas is giving him no reason to rush back. He nailed his ninth save of the season striking out one and securing John Hammel's 2-0 shutout.
Now, last night I forgot to mention Bobby Jenks save, OK I get it. Well, he recorded another save tonight and it was his 14th of the season. Last season Jenks was one of the most stable closers in the league till the end of the season. Right now, he's pitching that way and tonight he faced the minimum on nine pitches. It was his seventh save of the month and he's only surrendered one run in his last ten innings of work.
The Detroit Tigers continue to be re hot as does their closer Jose Valverde. He handed a little payback to the Diamondsbacks, who in the off-season didn't feel Valverde was worth the money. Well now they are on their second closer (Aaron Heilman) and Valverde is 15/16 on the season. Tonight was his normal dominance, 1-2-3 and a strikeout. Along with him, one of my favorites and top sleepers Billy Wagner got another save in June and his 13th overall. He added two more strike outs, giving him a season total of 41 on the season.
Fernando Rodney got his sixth save of the season, attempting to give Angels closer Brian Fuentes the win. He almost blew the save and forced Fuentes to warm up. Rodney did give up a blast to Derek Lee before retiring the side.
In final news, Heath Bell got the win tonight after giving up the go ahead run in the ninth. David Hernandez blew his first save of the season in only his third attempt and he took the loss. He gave up two runs, while 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: Manny Corpas (9), Fernando Rodney (6), Bobby Jenks (14), Kevin Gregg (17), Francisco Rodriguez (16), Jose Valverde (15), Leo Nunez, Billy Wagner (13), Ryan Franklin (13), Kerry Wood (5), Daniel Bard (3).
There was a ton of saves tonight, unlike the five bare bone saves last night. There were even some strange ones to cover and some other notable appearances. Starting in New York, where Francisco Rodriguez stared down the Yankees and they gave them their best, but with the bases loaded and one out KROD struck out Jeter and then got a game ending pop out. Granted he put a couple of runners on, Rodriguez still got out of the Yankee grape jelly or jam as you might call it. It was Francisco Rodriguez's 16th save of the season and that was after a slow start
The lead saver of the day, 3G (Kevin Gregg), added his 17th save of the day with a 3-2 over the Giants. Gregg needed only five pitches to dispose of the Giants in order. Almost as good were the NL performances of Leo Nunez and Ryan Franklin. Nunez needed 12 pitches for a 1-2-3 close out of the Rays tonight and was spot on with ten of them strikes. Franklin was even better, recording a strikeout on 11 pitches in a 6-4 save over the Athletics.
Now, last night I forgot to mention Bobby Jenks save, OK I get it. Well, he recorded another save tonight and it was his 14th of the season. Last season Jenks was one of the most stable closers in the league till the end of the season. Right now, he's pitching that way and tonight he faced the minimum on nine pitches. It was his seventh save of the month and he's only surrendered one run in his last ten innings of work.
The Detroit Tigers continue to be re hot as does their closer Jose Valverde. He handed a little payback to the Diamondsbacks, who in the off-season didn't feel Valverde was worth the money. Well now they are on their second closer (Aaron Heilman) and Valverde is 15/16 on the season. Tonight was his normal dominance, 1-2-3 and a strikeout. Along with him, one of my favorites and top sleepers Billy Wagner got another save in June and his 13th overall. He added two more strike outs, giving him a season total of 41 on the season.
Fernando Rodney got his sixth save of the season, attempting to give Angels closer Brian Fuentes the win. He almost blew the save and forced Fuentes to warm up. Rodney did give up a blast to Derek Lee before retiring the side.
In final news, Heath Bell got the win tonight after giving up the go ahead run in the ninth. David Hernandez blew his first save of the season in only his third attempt and he took the loss. He gave up two runs, while 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!
