Closer Watch: 2011

[Judge Jude]

Tthe DBacks will never pitch Putz 3 straight nights, or max out his IP.

I assume that anyone who bought on "fragile" has netted a nice profit so far.

Let's not get greedy here.......

[OaklandA's]

Putz has said he was a little worn out from warming up for 6 out of 7 games on the last trip. But he does think he can go three games in a row this year.

http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/NickPiecoro/

[bweiser831]

i was joking. i hate it when they feel the need to use closers in non-save situations then i lose a save out of it.

[schlesinj]

Sounds like Mitchell Boggs getting sent down?

[YourPalChrisMal]

Sounds like Mitchell Boggs getting sent down?

Gotta be Boggs. It's the only thing that makes sense (besides just flat-out dumping Franklin.) LaRussa isn't even using Boggs at all anymore.

[TopChuckie]

Gotta be Boggs. It's the only thing that makes sense (besides just flat-out dumping Franklin.) LaRussa isn't even using Boggs at all anymore.

Boggs must have done something wrong besides just blow a save after saving three in a row.

[Msaint]

Boggs must have done something wrong besides just blow a save after saving three in a row.

Well, LaRussa does have a hot daughter. Just sayin'...http://twitter.com/#!/biancatai

[YourPalChrisMal]

Jasen in for the save opportunity! I told you!

[YourPalChrisMal]

Per GameCast this has been UGLY so far. Opened 3-0 to Chris Johnson, then got him 3-2, fouled a couple pitches off before striking him out. Hall singled to "deep left" per GameCast. He was 0-2 on Hall, and if GameCast can be believed, he hit a pitch that would have otherwise hit him. He then went 3-0 on Downs before striking him out. Sanchez then worked an 11 pitch walk. He opened with Sanchez 2-0 before coming back 2-2. Sanchez then fouled off SIX pitches before working the walk. Hall and Sanchez stole 3rd and 2nd, respectively during Bourn's at bat. FULL COUNT to Bourn. Jeezus...Bourn doubled to score 2. Blown save. Eff-me. Hahaha.

[YourPalChrisMal]

0-2 to Barmes...Hits him with a pitch. Good lordy...

[DMT]

The real question is, wth did Mattingly yank Kershaw after 84 pitches when the bp is such a disaster?

[overkill94]

Jasen in for the save opportunity! I told you!

Jansen with the blown save!

After doing so well with his control lately, he really had a tough time finding the strike zone tonight. He went to a 3-ball count on 5 of the first 6 batters he faced, walking one of them, while giving up two hard hits and the game-ending jam job. I think Jansen is still the most closer-like option in the Dodgers' bullpen, but don't be surprised if Guerrier (or maybe MacDougal) get the next few save chances.

[overkill94]

The real question is, wth did Mattingly yank Kershaw after 84 pitches when the bp is such a disaster?

There were runners on first and second with two outs when Kershaw's spot in the line-up came up. Ethier pinch-hit and promptly knocked in the go-ahead and run (and another scored on a fielding error) so it was definitely the right call at the time. The bullpen had actually done a lot better lately, but Jansen reverted to his previous self in taking the loss.

[overkill94]

Per GameCast this has been UGLY so far. Opened 3-0 to Chris Johnson, then got him 3-2, fouled a couple pitches off before striking him out. Hall singled to "deep left" per GameCast. He was 0-2 on Hall, and if GameCast can be believed, he hit a pitch that would have otherwise hit him. He then went 3-0 on Downs before striking him out. Sanchez then worked an 11 pitch walk. He opened with Sanchez 2-0 before coming back 2-2. Sanchez then fouled off SIX pitches before working the walk. Hall and Sanchez stole 3rd and 2nd, respectively during Bourn's at bat. FULL COUNT to Bourn. Jeezus...Bourn doubled to score 2. Blown save. Eff-me. Hahaha.

It truly was ugly. He was still throwing pretty good gas, but his location was all over the place. Hall's single was a line shot off the left field wall that would normally be a double but Gwynn played it perfectly and it was a 2-run game anyway. Bourn's double was a hard hit grounder that Loney dove for but it was too close to the line. Pence's game-winner was in on the hands but he had plenty of muscle to drop it into short left field.

[madducks]

Jansen with the blown save!

Double damn!!

I have Norris pitching well enough to win and the Astros can't score runs for him. But, when my reliever (Jansen) has a chance to get the save, their bats come to life. Arrrrrgh!!!!