July 1, 2012
Tampa Bay Rays – Kyle Farnsworth pitched his first inning of year on Saturday, logging a scoreless frame in the 7th inning. The former closer immediately slots in to the Rays late-inning hierarchy, and could push Joel Peralta for the 8th inning role. Hierarchy change: Kyle Farnsworth to 2nd in line, replacing Jake McGee.
|Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedTB |Rodney |Peralta |Farnsworth |Farnsworth |7/1/12
Pittsburgh Pirates – Jared Hughes got the last out of the 8th inning with the Pirates up three runs, then stayed on for the 9th after the Pirates added to their lead. Hughes does not fit in to the Pirates regular late-inning plans. No hierarchy change.
|Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedPIT |Hanrahan |Grilli |Cruz |Hanrahan |6/11/12
Oakland A’s – Brian Fuentes was summoned in the 6th inning on Saturday with the A’s down by 4 runs, and he proceeded to give up a run on two hits and a walk in 1.1 innings. Bob Melvin has said that he’s trying to work Fuentes back into a late-inning role, but the lefty isn’t helping himself, as he now sports a 6.84 ERA. Jerry Blevins (2.51 ERA) has been a much more reliable lefty for the A’s, as he picked up a 7th inning hold on Friday. Hierarchy change: Jerry Blevins to 2nd in line, replacing Brian Fuentes.
|Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedOAK |Cook |Balfour |Blevins |Cook |7/1/12
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Vicente Padilla, Boston Red Sox – Alfredo Aceves pitched 2.1 innings yesterday in an extra inning game.
2. Brandon League, Seattle Mariners – Tom Wilhelmsen pitched 2 innings yesterday in an extra inning game.
3. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – With with the Twins employing a true platoon, Jared Burton could get the save opp if there’s a righty-heavy ninth inning due up.
