August 11, 2017
Los Angeles Angels — For the first time as the team’s closer, Bud Norris came into the game with a slim lead in the eighth inning instead of the ninth. He promptly allowed two home runs to tie the game, giving him 13 earned runs in his last 4.2 IP. After Mike Trout knocked home three runs in the ninth, Cam Bedrosian came on to secure the save, ironically giving Norris the win. But he also took a loss: he’s no longer the team’s closer. Manager Mike Scioscia said after Thursday’s game that the team would take “a step back” from Norris, later walking it back to “a half step” taken by Norris. “We’ll see how we use him,” he added. We’d say Norris is definitely out as closer. As for who gets the first shot instead, Bedrosian appears to be the favorite, though Blake Parker and Keynan Middleton also may get chances. We suppose with Scioscia’s amended comment, Norris could even reemerge if he fixes whatever is going on.
Updated hierarchy: *Bedrosian | Parker | Middleton.
* = closer-by-committee
